Day 1: A New Year or a New Beginning: A Parable of the Life of a Tree and Its Leaves

Isaiah 43:18 * Expanded Bible (EXB)

18 The Lord says, “Forget what happened before,

   and do not ·think about [consider; dwell on] the past.

-- EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


A PARABLE ABOUT THE NEW YEAR AND A NEW BEGINNING
Every person is a tree.
Every tree, every life has leaves, roots, and fruit.
God grows and fertilizes the tree and its fruit. That is His responsibility, not ours. He is the one who helps us to bear much fruit. He even helps grow leaves and roots.
But, where do we come into the picture, besides as a tree?
Every year, trees lose their leaves in the Fall and regrow them in the Spring, if they are of that variety of tree. These are the tree only trees, by the way.
But, then there are the person trees whose lives are symbolized by the trees. They have leaves year round and are given additional leaves at the beginning of each new year. The question is what we are going to do with each leaf, which each represents a new day. Are we going to made different shapes with that leaf and color it in bright, new ways? Or, are we going to neglect it and not do much with it? Or, worse yet, are we going to live this day, this leaf, as if it's our own and completely ignore the Gardener, God?
In 2014, let us take each new leaf of a new day and make it God's day, not our own. Let us live smack-dab in the middle of His will and His path, not in the one we choose. May we be in the Word, in thanksgiving, and in prayer as we help teach others about the New Life in Him.
So, how will you choose this day to color your leaf?
At the end of the year, will you have a bright, bold, colorful tree? Or will it be full of dark brown or black leaves? And, how much fruit will you allow God to bear through you and your life?

MORAL OF THE STORY
Every New Year is a New Beginning.
And, every new beginning is a new year.
At any moment, we can stop and say, "Let's try again" or "Let's start a new page." That's the beauty about life and what Jesus Christ did for us. He came so that our sins could be forgiven, so we are constantly allowed a new beginning. When we slip, we can start again and try again.
What relief.
What joy.
What a blessing.
If we have strayed from His path and gone our way, we can start all over again.
Let's not abuse it, but take advantage of the new beginning we are about to have. For, each day is His, not ours. Let's make each day bold, beautiful, and colorful in Him, in his Word, in thanksgiving, and in prayer.

A DAILY CHOICE

Every day we face two choices:

1 Choose today as my day alone and in my way.

2 Choose today as God's. 

So, which will it be?

(Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease 2011-2013.) 

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 12: Part 3 of 3

Now, we will continue our topical study of Praying the Word, which is meditating on the Bible.

Please grab your Bibles and journals at this time. 

GENESIS 24:63

The verse we will study is Genesis 24:63. However, we need to get the context of what is happening here. Let's read all of Genesis 24 and see if we can figure out what Genesis 24:63 means. 

~*~ However, let's first read the verse, Genesis 24:63 and write a summary of the verse. 

~*~ Now, let's see if we can answer who, what, where, when, why, and how regarding Genesis 24:63 when we get the context of Genesis 24. Read Genesis 24 now.

~*~ Why was Issac meditating? 

I hate it when the author of a book asks a question and then answers it, but I need to right now in order to make a point. Isaac was about to marry. He was waiting for her to walk into his life. What a time to meditate! It was absolutely necessary. How could he be the best mate he could be for her unless he was with the Lord in every way possible? 

~*~ What can we, and do we, learn from this? 

Any time we are dealing with a struggle, a question, doubt, grief... and I mean anything... Praying the Word is the answer. Getting in the Bible is the answer. After all, HE is the ANSWER. 

~*~ So, why will you Pray the Word in the future?

When you Pray the Word regarding something you, or someone close to you, is dealing with, look up verses in a concordance regarding that issue/struggle/question. Then, Pray the Word. Pray those verses. Journal what God says to you, what you say to God, and what you are going to do, think, or say in return. 

24-HOUR HOMEWORK

What are you dealing with right now? Struggling with? Have questions about? 

~*~ Journal what they are.

~*~ Look up at least 5 verses about that--preferably as many as you can find. Write them in your journal. Start to pray them back to God over the next 24 hours. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 12: Part 2 of 3

READ THE WORD BECAUSE YOU WANT TO AND NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DO SO

I cannot stress that enough. Read the Bible because you have a desire to know God, to hear what he has to say, to develop an intimate relationship with him, and to receive his counsel. We read the Word of God to talk to him and to hear him. We read the Word to draw forever nearer to him and be close with him. We read the Word because we desire him. 

Never, ever, ever pick up the Bible because you want to check off today's reading in your little To Do List. That is sacrilegious and misses the entire point. We are to read the Word because we desire him and not because we want to be recognized for our good deeds.

I hope that wasn't too harsh or pointed. But, sometimes truth hurts. It's not always pretty or kind. Sometimes, it's in your face. And I hope you know the only reason why I can say all of these things is because I've struggled with this. It's the same about what I am about to say as well. So, here's some truth. Do you know why I write what I write? Because I have experience with these things. I never write what I do not know. I do not want to lead anyone astray. I write because this is what I need and struggle with. So know if any of this hits you square between the eyes, it's done the same for me--repeatedly. 

FEELING LIKE IT

Now, that's not to say only to read the Bible when we 'feel like it.' Feelings are fickle and will lead you astray most of the time. Feelings lie and are not based in truth. Feelings are not fact. Feelings make us act out of passion, or dispassion for that matter, and then we do things we regret. 

I never feel like getting on the treadmill. I never feel like getting sweaty and stinky from it. I never feel like eating vegetables over cheesecake. I never feel like doing laundry or dishes. 

I do not know about you, but there are times I really do not want to read the Word, go to Bible study, or go to church. Nope. Not at all. I can think of a million things, if not a trillion, I would rather feel like doing. However, that is when I know I need to do it the most. If I force myself to do it, then I realize how desperately I really needed it. Those are the times I get the most out of the lessons. Those are the times I ended up knowing God more and drawing closer to him. Those are the times I hear him more clearly than usual. So, when I do not feel like it, I make note. I realize that is when I must. My spirit and intimacy with God is at stake. 

If I fail to do it this one time, the next will be easier to justify not doing. Then, it becomes a slippery slope. But, more to the point, if I allow my feelings to dictate where I go and what I do, they will most likely lead me to do the wrong thing and consequently I will sin. The feelings lead me to temptation. My actions follow through and then I sin. 

Read the Bible becuase it helps you to Pray the Word because you will know the Word and the Lord. 

So, ignore your feelings if they are telling you you don't feel like it or not to do it. Do it anyway. But, make sure your heart and mind are in the right place. Make sure you desire God--to know him and draw close to him. But, don't do it because you have to check it off the list. 

Does this make sense?

OBSTACLES
There will also be obstacles and life challenges which will try to get in the way of you Praying the word, reading the bible, doing Bible study, going to church, etc. (Never mind that feelings are obstacles as well.) This is inevitable.

Do you know the four sources of these obstacles?
A Self/pride
B The enemy
C Fellow man
D Circumstances
E God will test you.

Three of those will tempt you and have the potential lead you to sin. One of those (E) will allow the other four.

One of those can be caused by the other three or the last one (D).

So... Pray against the obstacles. Be watchful and aware of these pitfalls. Do not allow yourself to fall prey to them. 

Our next lesson will be Part 3 for today and will be on the next verse of our study of Praying the Word.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal FaithFind my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 12: Part 1

BIBLE READING COMMITMENT

So, what did you and God decide you would commit to as far as daily Bible reading? 

HOW MANY CHAPTERS TO READ IN A DAY?

Check out this resource:

http://aloyalfaith.blogspot.com/2011/11/bible-in-year-2-years-6-months-or-91.html 

But, here's a hint. There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. Now, you can do the math--or check out the resource I just listed before this paragraph. 

NOW, WHAT PLAN SHOULD YOU USE?

There are several Bible reading plans you can use. 

You can read the Bible cover to cover--Genesis to Revelation. 

You can also read Old Testament and New Testament readings.

You also can read Old Testament, New Testament, and a Psalm.

But, wait! There's a million more. Check out the resources below.

A COUPLE OF BIBLE READING PLAN RESOURCES:

http://70030.netministry.com/articles_view.asp?articleid=31606&columnid=3801 

Also: http://thetransformedman.net/BibleReadingPlans.aspx

OR, KEEP IT SIMPLE

Go to a Christian Bookstore and buy a Bible in a Year. They are in the bIble section and there are mroe choices than you could imagine. This year, I'm doing this one: 

http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/readthebible/

I am starting it tonight. 

YOUR TURN

Please journal your responses:

~*~ A How fast are you going to read the Bible through cover to cover?

~*~ Which plan or which Yearly Bible?

~*~ What do you hope to get out of your reading?

~*~ What do you think it will do for your Praying the Word?

Whew! Enough of that! There will be a Part 2 for today.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 11: Part 3

PRAYING THE WORD EFFECTIVELY

In Part 2 today, I stressed that reading the Bible daily gives you yet another opportunity to Pray the Word. It helps you to get to the point that you pray without ceasing and to meditate on the Word of God morning, noon, and night. However, with Bible reading comes a couple of issues...

Let's be real. None of us read the Bible or know it like we could or should. Yes. even Bible scholars would agree with what I just said. The Bible is the Living Word. Every single time we read it, we go to the text with a new and different perspective. Therefore, every time we read it, we see it differently and learn new things about the Word of God. (Yes. Every time--even if you read the bible every 90 days.) 

Now, I hope you see why it is even more critical for you to be in the Word of God. Not only does that give you the opportunity to pray as you read it, but it will help you know the story of each verse, its context, and how to pray more effectively because of that knowledge. If you read a verse, but haven't read the Bible recently (if at all) from cover to cover, you could take it out of context and you could be disobeying God in the process. Let me drive this point home. 

WARNING! DANGER! DO NOT PULL FORWARD! HALT!

Read Matthew 5:30 at this time. 

Matthew 5:30 says to cut off your right hand and throw it away if it causes you to stumble. 

If you never read anything else from the Bible, you might take that literally! When it isn't literal. It's a figure of speech being used to make a point. You might think that this is an extreme example. But, it really isn't. If you haven't been in the Bible from cover to cover recently, you could be taking each and every verse you read out of context. Do you here the danger here? I wish I could flash neon signs in front of you and scream, "WARNING! WARNING! You are about to get hurt!" But, alas, I cannot. So, you need to do the same for yourself... as I am being with myself as I type this. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR 

So, this is where reading the Bible in a year comes in to the equation. 

Will you commit with me to read the Bible through this year? Please pray on it. See where God leads you with this endeavor. Keep in mind, you will NOT get as much out of Praying the Word unless you do--sometime. 

Commit to something at least. Whether it's the Bible in 90 days, 6 months, a year, 2 years, or 3 years... Commit. That will help your prayer life in ways I cannot even begin to express. 

PRAYING THE WORD

~*~ Read Psalm 119:9-32. Linger on 5 verses from there which speak to you the most. Pray these verses the next 24 hours. Make sure to journal everything you think, pray, and talk with God about. Also, journal what he says to you.

As you do that, make sure to ask God what HE wants you to commit to. Do not choose what you want. Also, do not commit to what you feel comfortable with. Make it a challenge, but a doable one. Go a little beyond your comfort zone. But, again  Commit. It will help you continue praying the Word and will bless your socks off! I promise. 

~*~ Journal what happens as you pray about what Bible reading plan you want to commit to and what happens between you and God the next 24 hours as you pray about that and pray the 5 verses from Psalm 119:9-32. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

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A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: DAY 11 PART 2: Other tips for Praying the Word

SERIOUSLY?

At this point, you might wonder how to pray without stopping and how exactly to meditate on the Bible morning, noon, and night--while you carry on with life as normal. You have demands in your life. You either are going to school, have a job, raising children, fill in the blank, or doing a variety of all of the above. So, how is this really feasible? Is it? Seriously.

IT'S POSSIBLE

It is realistic. It's actually quite realistic. God would not give us those commands in Psalm 1:2,1 Thessalonians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 2:5, and Ephesians 4:6-8 if it wasn't possible. That's not how God works. 

SO, HOW EXACTLY? (TIPS):

So, how else can you get to the point of praying and being in the word 24/7/365 (16+ hours a day)?

Here are a few tips:

A Be in Adult Sunday School.

B Be in a small group Bible study.

C Do individual Bible study.

D Go to church Sundays and Wednesday nights (even if it's two different churches).

E But most importantly, read the Bible EVERY day. As a matter of fact, I recommend ideally reading the Bible cover to cover (in whatever order you choose) every year. Every two years might be more feasible for you. Or, worst case scenario, every three years. After all, our minds are easily distracted and our memories are not what they could be or should be. Therefore, we will forget the in's and out's of everything we read. Journaling as we read helps diminish this, but we still forget. Therefore, in order to be able to keep the bible in context, and not pray the Word incorrectly because we do, it's important to have the Bible fresh in and on your mind. Reading the Bible all the way through helps with that endeavor. There will be more to follow in Part 3 of Day 11.

JOURNAL:

~*~ Lord, reveal to me new ways, even with the things I do already, to help me to pray 24/7/365. Journal what he tells you. 

~*~ How else can you steal time for God?

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 11

Today, we are going to start to do a daily topical study about meditating on the Word of God... which is Praying the Word. That reminds me. I want to give you all sorts of synonyms of 'Praying the Word' so you can find other resources if you ever want them. Other words for Praying the Word are:

A Meditating on the Word

B Pondering the Word

C Contemplative Prayer (or the Prayer of Contemplation)

D The Prayer of the Heart

E Praying the Word back to God (is a phrase you might here)

F Lectio Divina

TOPICAL STUDY

There are 18 verses with 'meditate' in them and I have this additional verse for today. So, that's 19 verses and we have 19 days left in this study. That's perfect. It's also God's plan. I added a lesson to this book (Day 10) I hadn't anticipated--without even realizing I had 19 verses for us to study. I love how God works. 

PSALM 63:6

Look up this verse in your favorite translation of the Bible and read it. 

~*~ Journal your summary of Psalm 63:6 at this time.

Here is my paraphrased, personalized prayer of this verse: 

When on my couch or in my bed and think of or remember you, Lord, I will meditate on you throughout the night.

This verse describes the importance of nighttime prayer. However, we also know we are to do this morning, noon, and night. 

You have got to love the Psalms and David. The Book of Psalms is one big book o use for Praying the Word--and so is Proverbs. But, Psalms is David's prayer book. We learn how he rpayed through the Psalms. What a special book.

Did you know your journal is your Book of Psalms? It's your prayer book you are writing. 

So, here are a couple of questions for your journal:

~*~ How can you write more of your own Psalms? 

~*~ What are you doing to remember and think of God and his Word? 

~*~ What do you need to do in order to increase your time of Praying the Word to 16+ hours a day (continually)?

~*~ What is working for you already?

~*~ What verses have spoken to you most since day 1 of this study?

~*~ What verses do you want to repeat?

~*~ What has God said to you?

~*~ What have you said to God?

~*~ How has your life been changed through Praying the Word?

THE NEXT 24-HOURS

As usual, your Praying the Word goal is a 3-fold choice for the next 24-hours:

A Pick your own verses.

B Use Appendix A.

C Use 365 Days book. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

A MONTH OF PRAYING IN THE WORD: Day 10 and being hit with obstacles and distractions

We are moving right along. It's Day 10 already. Where does the time go? I am excited, nonetheless, to keep going and see where God takes us. (Trust me. I am on this ride just as much as you. I do my best to allow God to reveal to me what to write, after all. I want my words to be HIS words.)

BEING HIT

I do not know about you, but I've always noticed that the more I get into God's Word, and the more loyal my faith becomes, the more I am hit with obstacles, distractions, and life challenges. Or, the people around me start to go through them more. 

I also think that my awareness increases as God reveals things for me to take to him. 

My heart is breaking for a friend right now who has been hit with some of those challenges. I just found out and I wish I could give her a hug, but there's physical distance there. Sigh. (I know what I am going to be praying today--and beyond.)

~*~ But, how about you? Have you been hit with any of these things? Or has your awareness increased because God's softening your heart so you can find more opportunities to pray? How about both? Please write your response in your journal. Whatever God puts on your heart to take to him... Do so at this time. Then, we will move forward. 

PLAN CHANGE

I had this lesson set for tomorrow. But, I have the impression it's needed more today. So, here we go. I cannot help but wonder if you need the lesson today just as badly as I do. 

A CHRISTMAS VERSE

It's now the Christmas season and I cannot help but think of one of my all-time favorite verses. After all, we learn a great deal about the character of our Lord in the verse. Of course, I turn to it all year long. But, it's associated with Christmas and with the birth of Jesus Christ, nonetheless. 

Please turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9:6 at this time and read it. Then journal the following:

~*~ What did you learn about Jesus from these verses?

~*~ Why do you think this is included here by me in verses about the importance of praying the Word?

~*~ Which name and characteristic jumps out at you today and why?

~*~ Go through the rest of the characteristics and names of Jesus and describe how they can be useful to you today (this week, month, etc.)

ISAIAH 9:6

Here is my paraphrased, personalized, prayer version of the verse:

Jesus is: Everlasting Father, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. 

He will always be a Father to me.

He is a counselor to turn to for wisdom and advice. 

He offers me peace when my spirit knows none.

He has great strength to offer me when needed and will protect me and those I love. 

WHY WAS ISAIAH 9:6 INCLUDED HERE?

Just those four qualities of Jesus can be pondered daily for the rest of our lives. That's why. 

He is the Word made flesh (John 1:1), and given that, the Word offers us those qualities as well. Do you want the Father? Turn to the Word. Do you want a counselor of wisdom? Turn to the Word. Do you need a sense of peace? Turn to the Word. Do you need strength and protection--or those you love? Turn to the Word. 

The Word... Jesus Christ... really is the answer to every problem and every want and need. 

JOURNAL

~*~ What has God said to you today?

~*~ What have you said to God?

~*~ Make a plan to meditate on this verse once a month to every couple of months. 

ISAIAH 9:6 FOR TODAY

Meditate and pray this verse for the next 24 hours. Spend lots of time journaling and talking and listening to the Lord about this verse and his names. 

JUST IN CASE: THREE PRAYING THE WORD OPTIONS

If Isaiah 9:6 isn't speaking to you today, you have three choices. This is true for the rest of this book as well. You have three options:

A You can do the next day in the month of verses provided in Appendix A. 

B You can look at five verses of your own... 

C You can take a look at the 365 DAYS OF PRAYING THE WORD: SCRIPTURE LIST #1 book and start to work on those.

Again, 5 verses a day is just a suggestion. Sometimes, I meditate and pray continually one verse for a couple of weeks. Other times, I have to go through 15 verses. It all depends. The point is to be flexible and see where God leads you. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A MONTH OF PRAYER: Day 9 Review

PRAYING THE WORD REVIEW TEMPLATE:

RECAP, REVIEW, AND ANALYZING

Every week, I recommend going back through your journal and reviewing what you and God have experienced this week in your life together. 

We are a couple of days late in doing this. However, that's okay. It's appropriate that we waited. We needed to go through what we've gone through so that we can build on what we walked into this study already knowing (or thinking we knew). 

I cannot recommend enough doing this template often. The more you do it, the more you will get out of it. You can do it daily, weekly, every 2-weeks, every month, every 3 months, every year, every 5 years, every decade. I recommend doing this at least monthly. Ideally, weekly. Do the daily whenever you felt lead to do so.

HOW TO USE THE TEMPLATE

A Remember: Praying the Word is a lifelong practice. Even after you finish with this study and book, you will continue to Pray the Word for the rest of your life. Hence, this template is part of that journey. 

B Journals: Make sure to grab your journals and this book. When appropriate, you'll grab all of the books associated with Praying the Word and A Loyal Faith Series (i.e. 365 Days of Praying the Word: Scripture List #1) as well. 

C When you do a template, start from the period of time from your last template. This time, we haven't done one before, so we will start from Day 1 of our journals and A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD. 

D Every 6 months, do this template of just the templates from the last 6 months--as well as from your journaling. So, that would be two separate templates. In other words, one would be of the journaling from your last template to now. The other template would be done using the last 6 months of templates. 

~*~ PRAYING THE WORD TEMPLATE

Re-read all book material since your last template. 

Read your journaling since your last template. 

Journal your answers to the following:

1 What verses jumped out to you the most? List them and explain how and why they jumped out to you. Also, make note if you want to pray them more over the next week. 

2 Have you increased your SPT and OPT time?

3 How much time did you spend SPT and OPT on average over the last week? Month? Quarter (3-months)?

4 Has your faith grown? Have you become more loyal in faith to the Lord and his Word? 

5 What has God said to you?

6 What have you said to God?

7 What are you applying to your life that God has said to you and that you have said to God? 

8 Write a summary since your last template. 

9 Pray 5 of these verses for the next 24 hours. List which ones. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

It's rough, and rather non-existent at this point but...: 365 DAYS OF PRAYING THE WORD: SCRIPTURE LIST #1 Blog Version

I just downloaded the first of many of:

365 Days of Praying the Word: Scripture List #1 on Smashwords. 

I only have one verse mentioned so far. But, I have the name reserved and it is now a registered book. So, here we go... 

You can find it at:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109328

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

I'm so excited. The 365 project

I have started to compile the list for the 365-day of Praying the Word scriptures. This is an exciting project. I will share them with you as I go. Consequently, I will put them for free on Smashwords so you can start to enjoy the fruit of them right away.

As I work on my A MONTH OF... Books, I will work on this project. I think I will probably download a new version once a week or so. So, it's safe to say every Friday after 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, you can download the latest copy.

I want us to have every opportunity and advantage to pray continually and without stopping--as we meditate on the Word of God morning, noon, and night. 

Thanks to this project, I am far more passionate about Praying the Word and I've been pretty passionate about it for years. My faith is being transformed. I pray the same is happening with yours.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 8

Good day, friends. We have been at this journey a week now. Can you believe it? I do not know about you, but time is flying and I am starting to wish we had a lot more time than what we have. Therefore, it's important for us to maximize what we get out of "A MONTH OF PRAYING IN THE WORD" study. After all, what we learn here we can apply no matter what. We can do other Bible studies and still be doing this for the rest of our lives. In fact, we can repeat this book every month for the rest of our lives.

Consequently, we need to get to some of the deeper stuff now. We want to make sure we get the most out of this and do not get bored. We also need to see the relevance and learn what the Bible has to say about this.

Let's take a look at Romans 12:2. 

ROMANS 12:2 AND THE PULLING AND ENTRAPMENT OF THE WORLD

~*~ Please take a look at it in your Bible and write a summary in your own words of what it says. 

The world tends to grab hold of us and influence our lives, doesn't it? What gets me is how it does so when we do not even realize it has a hold of us. It fights dirty and gets our eyes off of what is really important and what really matters. The world, and everything in it, steals our attention and affections. 

~*~ Write your thoughts in your journal about the world and how it tends to snag you. (Need I mention distractions, busyness, doubt, depression, finances, shopping, people, ideas, customs, etc.?)

This is why we are told in Romans 12:2 not to allow the world to shape or conform us. We are to overcome it. But, how? What does that look like? Romans 12:2 provides us with the answer. 

We are to think differently and have our minds and thoughts renewed. What does renewed mean? It means an entire change of mind. It means changing the way we think. 

~*~ Write your thoughts about the changing of your thought patterns.

HOW DO WE CHANGE OUR THOUGHTS?

I do not know about you, but some thoughts pop into my mind and consume me. I get obsessed about something--rather silly and pointless. Or, doubt starts to creep in about something or someone. And, of course the doubt is not founded at all. The enemy knows which buttons to push. I get reminded of tough times in the past and they can play with my mind. Or, I worry. I fret. I stress about deadlines. 

Ugh. So, you see, my mind can be very undisciplined at times. I lose my self-control and need to regroup. 

What we are learning from this book is the answer for overcoming the effects of this world. We replace our thoughts with Scripture. In other words, we pray the Word. If we pray the Word, and do so 16+ hours a day, we do not have time for the worldly stuff to consume us. And, if it threatens to get in our minds again, we can combat it with--you guessed it--with praying the Word.

Can you think of anything better for us to think than the Word of God, the Holy Bible? 

~*~ Please write your thoughts now.

~*~ What has God said to you? What is he saying to you?

~*~ What are you saying to God?

It's that easy.

Now, do you see why we worked on planning yesterday? Do you see why I've given you in APPENDIX A a month of Scripture and Praying the Word Outline? 

~*~ How can you change your thoughts and renew your mind with Praying the Word? Make an action plan to overcome the impact of this world on your life and in your mind. 

DAY 4 FROM THE OUTLINE

Do Day 4 from the outline of Praying the Word in APPENDIX A for the next 24 hours, please. Add Romans 12:2 to it as well. Also, make sure to journal and listen to the Lord and his promptings. 

*** By the way, I will most likely write at least one additional (if not more) book each year on Praying the Word, along with the 365-Day book.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Day 61: Evening

EVENING:

Don't forget to pray to God Psalm 19:14 and then read Hebrews 11 from your next Bible version. 

*~* What differences do you see with this version?

*~* What stands out to you from this version? Explain.

*~* List 5 people you want to learn more about. Explain why you choose them. (If you want to list more people, feel free to do so. For me, I am curious to relearn about all of them so that I can apply the lessons they learned about faith to my life. I know how to learn vicariously.)

A

B

C

D

E

*~* What new information have you learned about faith?

*~* Write a summary about what all you have learned from Hebrews 11 through all 5+ versions. 

*~* List all the applications you listed from all 5 versions. (Eventually you will apply all to your life.)

*~* Pick 4 of those applications to work on applying to your life today.

*~* What has God said to you? Today and yesterday.

*~* What have you said to God? Today and yesterday.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Day 61: Noon and Hebrews 11: Translation 2

NOON:

NEW NUMBERING SYSTEM

In an effort to make things easier, I am just going to put a *~* every time a number is supposed to go there. It will be easier for the days that I put two of a number or decide later to add a question.

NOON STUDY

Before you look at your journal workbook or Bible...

*~* Why don't you write out what has been going through your mind about Hebrews 11 since your last reading? 

*~* Why did that go through your mind, do you suppose?

*~* Is God working on something in your life?

Now, please grab your next Bible version and read through Hebrews 11.

*~* What differences do you see in this version that you didn't see in your morning version?

*~* Now what stands out to you? Explain.

*~* Do you have any new questions or problems about what you read?

*~*  List the top 5 verses that spoke to you the most and why:

A

B

C

D

E

*~* Take each of the verses you just listed and figure out one application you can do with them:

A

B

C

D

E

*~* What have you learned now about faith?

*~* Can you learn from the Bible heroes more about how to, and how not to, lead a faithful life? The reality of the situation is most of the people listed had their faults and the Bible lets us know what they are. But, they are still considered spiritual giants. 

*~* Start to memorize Hebrews 11:1. Write it out now. (Type it out, if you do it digitally.)

*~* What is God saying to you now?

*~* What are you saying to God?

Stacy Duplease

Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Day 61 Morning: Hebrews 11 and 3 Bible versions

MORNING:

Good day. I hope you are rested and are ready for a rather intense day of looking at Hebrews 11 from three different versions of the Bible. The good news is that this will be the busiest day we have until Day 115. (Whew!) 

As usual, you might think about grabbing your Bibles and your journal notebook (or readying your computer or other electronic device) for what is to come. 

Let's start with Psalm 19:14 and take a moment to prepare your heart, mind, and pen for what is to come today. 

SIDE-NOTE: I add the "and pen" part so that my journal workbook will be as he desires and is not what I want or make it. It's all about him, after all.

HUMOR ME?

Will you please humor me for a moment? Will you act like you didn't look at Hebrews 11 yesterday (or earlier today, whatever the case may be)? Will you act like this is your first time reading the chapter? Then, look at the journal workbook questions and thoughts to ponder. 

Now, grab your first of the three new versions we are going to study today. 

375 What did you not understand or did you have questions about? Make sure to list all of them. (We will search for these answers over the next 54 days.) 

Let's face it. This chapter has people, events, and terms which might not be known or might be confusing to understand completely. That's why it's important to make note of answers you need. 

Even today, as I do the same, I realize how much I need to learn. There are components of every verse I think I understand, and recall, but I want to make sure my memory isn't faulty. I have learned in the past I might think I remember something... Then, I discover I remembered it wrongly. So, I know not to trust my memory (and that's why I write stuff down!). Memory is faulty--and I know it's not just me.

376 What jumped out at you and spoke to you the most? List as many as possible. Explain. 

377 Do you want to emulate any of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11? Who? Explain. 

378 What does commended mean? How would you define it? (Is this what the biblical Greek means?)

379 What does verse 39 mean to you?

380 What does verse 40 mean to you?

381 What did God say to you as you read this chapter in this translation of the Bible?

382 What did you say to God?

383 Do you have any new applications? If not, which ones have you already listed were cemented only more through this reading?

384 Write a summary of what you learned about faith through this reading and through your journal workbook. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Day 61: 3 parts

Welcome to Day 61 of striving for a more loyal faith in the Lord and in his Word.

As of right now, this study will be divided into 3 parts: Morning, Noon, and Night.

If you don't have the time to divide it up in such a way, that's perfectly acceptable. Do what works for you. If it's all in one setting, go for it. If you can do several chunks throughout the day between baby feedings and naps, then do that. Find a system that works for you. Ideally, it would be morning, noon, and night. But, it simply isn't always possible. Life can tend to get in the way.

Now, I wanted to share a verse with you that I suggest you pray to the Lord every day, every time you approach the Lord. It is a perfect way to put us in the right frame of mind.

TO DO

Grab your Bibles and read Psalm 19:14 in at least 4 versions and write your own summary. Then, pick a favorite translation. 

MEMORIZE PSALM 19:14

Yes. Memorize Psalm 19:14. Let this be your goal this week. Write it on a card or piece of paper and carry it with you at all times. 

Stacy Duplease

Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

a loyal faith blog: Hebrews 11 1st and 2nd reading

Hebrews 11 1st and 2nd reading

Now is the time to get to our actual Bible study potion of Day 60. Up until now, it's been all about explanations and planning. Let's get to the real Bible study portion of today and of this Bible study book. (It's about time. Hee-hee.)

HEBREWS 11

As usual, please grab your 5 Bible versions (at least). Yes. 5 this time. After all, we are now going to do some heavy and deep study. the only way to do it is through repetition and through lots of study. These are the five translations (versions) I recommend, but use what you feel most comfortable with:

A NIV (New International Version)

B HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

C AMP (Amplified)

D NLT (New Living Translation)

E MSG (the Message)

Here are the others I recommend if you want to do more Bible study:

F NASB (New American Standard Bible)

G GW (GOD'S WORD)

H CEB (Common English Bible)

I NCV (New Century Version) 

J NKJV (New King James Version) 

Today, we are going to go through 2 versions of the Bible. Tomorrow, we will look at 3 versions. 

Read all of Hebrews 11 out of your favorite version of the Bible first. 

361 Jot down some notes.

362 What verses jumped out at you and how did they? Explain.

363 What did you learn about faith?

364 How many of the stories do you know well of the 20 people mentioned in Hebrews 11?

365 What do you hope to get out of studying Hebrews 11?

366 What did God say to you about Hebrews 11?

367 What did you say to God?

368 What four things do you hope to apply to your life regarding Hebrews 11? Make sure to include one for each of the following:

A Your eternity

B Your thoughts

C Your prayers

D Your actions

Now, grab the next Bible version of Hebrews 11.

369 What differences do you see between the two versions?

370 What do you know about faith now from Hebrews 11 and both versions?

371 Did God say anything more to you?

372 Did you say anything more to God?

373 Do you have new applications now? 

374 Write out about what stuck out to you the most about faith from either, or both, versions. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Hebrews 11 plan and the rest of this book plan

HEBREWS 11 PLAN

We are going to study Hebrews 11 for 55 days.

We will read the entire chapter Days 60-61. 

Days 62-94 will study all the verses. That's 32 days for 40 verses. So, we will study one per day except for 8 of those days, we will study one verse. 

Days 95-114 will study the 20 people below.

Day 115 will be the recap, analysis, and review of Hebrews 11.

PART 3 OF BOOK

Part 3 will be Days 116-120 and will be review of this Bible study book.

Day 116-117 is the review and analysis of all reviews from Day 60 to 115.

Day 118-119 is the review of Days 56-57 against Days 116-117. 

Day 120 will be synopsis and what to do from here. 

PEOPLE OF HEBREWS 11

We will study each person as an additional daily lesson. They are:

Abel and Cain

Enoch

Noah

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Sarah

Esau

Joseph

Moses

People/Israelites

Jericho

Rahab

Gideon

Barak

Samson

Jephthah

David

Samuel

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

a loyal faith blog: What's to come with this study?: A chapter study and plan for days 60-120

Part 2 and what commitment is required

We learned in part one how we are to pray without stopping. Therefore, we are going to continue to pray. We will learn more ins and outs of prayer and different types as we continue. 

We also learned in part one how we should read the Bible all the way through every 2-3 years. If it takes us 2-3 years to get through, we should not take any time off in-between. If we get all the way through the Bible in a year, we can do more in-depth reading of different books of the Bible for 1-2 years. So, we should spend some time in the Word--just reading and pondering it every day. 

Studying the Word is critical as well. When we read it, we can gloss over and skip several important facets and lessons without even realizing it because we might not fully understand the text. Bible study makes us go deeper with the Word. 

Applying the Word to our lives helps us grow our faith as we learn to depend on God and be obedient to him and his Word. 

It's important to keep track of the interchange we have with God and his Word. It's also important for us to remember what we have decided to apply to our lives regarding the Word. It's also important to remember the memories of our lives and of our walk with God. Most importantly, we learned our faith cannot grow as much unless we review and analyze our faith periodically. Hence, we keep a journal workbook. 

What commitment is being asked of you now that we have moved to Part Two?

Daily:

A Pray without stopping.

B Read and ponder the Word night and day.

C Study the Word. 

D Apply the Word.

E Write it down.

Weekly: 

Review of A-E.

See templates. 

Monthly: 

Review of A-E.

See templates. 

Quarterly:

Review of A-E.

See templates. 

Yearly to 4 Years:

Review of A-E.

See templates. 

Every 5 Years:

Review of A-E.

See templates.