Thank You Judy....

 Remembering advice from a wise saintly woman. She taught me, listened to me, corrected me and generally showed me what being a Christ centered woman looked like.

I don't do it very often, and maybe I should. But I was remembering something she shared with us during one of the Disciple sessions she facilitated many years ago. She encouraged us to have a Bible that was only for reading, a Bible that did not have any marking, highlighting, or notes in the margin. We all needed a Bible
just for reading.

In thinking about this I recall her sharing that underlining and making notes is important. There is always going to be a need for in-depth study of scripture. Making notes and marking dates is an important practice to do when you are studying God's word.

But, what I remember her saying was it is also important to have a bible that is free of all the underlining and notes in the margin.

Having a bible that is clean, that you can simple just read without the outside influences of your notes, markings or highlights.

I've been reading in the Psalms a lot lately. This morning I was reading a familiar verse. One that I had read many many times. It was underlined, highlighted, noted in the margin. I knew this verse. However I felt the need to approach it from a fresh perspective. Without the influence received from my highlighting, my notations, the numerous times I had visited this verse noted in the margin.

It was an oldie but a good, but I found myself, instead of reading the scripture, I was focusing on the dates in the margin, my notes off to the side. I was not focusing on God's words. I was focusing on my words.

Then Judy's words came back to me. I went and retrieved a few of my other bibles. Different versions that I knew had no notation, highlights or notes in the margin.

Thank you Judy for your wise words, It helped me this morning to remember it really isn’t about me. It’s not about how often I underline something, how often I may read a favorite verse or how many sticky note are poking out of my bible.

It's not about me; it's about allowing God's word to influence, teach, and correct my life.

God's word needs to be the source of my strength.

Making notes in the margins is essential. Remembering moments of impact is important, and tucking away special remembrances is significant as well.

But ultimately nothing is more important than the profound truth and value of simply reading God's Word and allowing it to fill me up and lead me where I need to go.

In you, Lord my God,

I put my trust.

2I trust in you;

do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3No one who hopes in you

will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those

who are treacherous without cause.

4Show me your ways, Lord,

teach me your paths.

5Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

6Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,

for they are from of old.

7Do not remember the sins of my youth

and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me,

for you, Lord, are good.

8Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way.

10All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful

toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11For the sake of your name, Lord,

forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?

He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

13They will spend their days in prosperity,

and their descendants will inherit the land.

14The Lord confides in those who fear him;

he makes his covenant known to them.

15My eyes are ever on the Lord,

for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17Relieve the troubles of my heart

and free me from my anguish.

18Look on my affliction and my distress

and take away all my sins.

19See how numerous are my enemies

and how fiercely they hate me!

20Guard my life and rescue me;

do not let me be put to shame,

for I take refuge in you.

21May integrity and uprightness protect me,

because my hope, Lord, is in you.

22Deliver Israel, O God,

from all their troubles!

Currently Selected:

Psalms 25: NIV

Highlight

Share

Copy

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Learn More About New International Version

Popular Bible Verses from

Psalms 25