What's Your View?

There are many ways to take in a view: we can look broadly across the landscape, use binoculars to zoom in on a specific object, take a photo to capture the view, or we can see it from someone else’s perspective in a painting, photograph or video. There are so many views I would never have the opportunity to enjoy without those captured by others!

We can also use these when reading and studying the Bible:

* Take it all in — Reading a whole book of the Bible or reading through the Bible gives us a larger view. Reading verses in context or as a theme which continues through God's Word gives us a broader understanding.

* Zoom in — We can focus on one or two verses or a single Bible character making note of details we may otherwise overlook.

* Capture it — Like a photo, we can take Bible verses along with us by memorizing them or even writing them down to take with us as we meditate on them.

* Someone else’s view — There are those who have gone before us or studied in-depth and can share that knowledge with us such as pastors, Bible teachers, and Bible study writers. We can see and learn from them helping us see things for which we didn’t even know to look.

What’s been your view today of God’s Word? Are we missing the greatest view of all?

February Focus - God's Love Letter

Let's face it ... the Bible is God's love letter to us!

God Himself is love and because this is His very nature, He loves us. His love is not based on what we do or don't do; it's based on Who He is! That takes a load off! We can't earn His love; it is freely given. And when we receive His love through His Son, Jesus, we also are able to truly love others. This love is called "Agape'" love. It is unmerited, unconditional, and eternal. Here are a few Bible verses about love that are sure to encourage you!

Probably the most well known is John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John speaks volumes about love throughout the Gospel According to John as well as his letters of First, Second and Third John.

God is love -

1 John 4:8 - "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:16 - "We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

God's love described -

1 Corinthians 13 is typically called "The Love Chapter" because it describes love; verses 4-8 say - "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;" Verse 13 continues - "But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Jeremiah 31:3 says God loves with a never ending love - "The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness."

A Personal Note

These past several months have put me on a learning curve. The writing has been extremely enjoyable ... the editing and learning to self-publish ... not so much! How often I have felt like saying, "I can't." If you’re like me, I would need several hands of fingers to count how many times I compare myself to others, and that’s just in one day! God is continuing to remind me of the dangers of the “am-nots." They can lead us to “I can’t,” so “I don’t.” They can paralyze us where we are and cause us to miss “I AM!”

God calls us to step out of our normal, our comfort zones, so that we must rely on Him. The road to obedience is not always easy, but He promises to be with us. Therefore, I press on. And in the process, I am getting closer: closer to accomplishing the task He has given me and closer to Him.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:14

Press on, Friend! Don't give up! Don't quit! He is with you!

Monthly Highlight

Would you be interested in an ARC - Advance Reader Copy of Creative Bible Study: A Collection of Words? Below is a link to an insert from the book you can read or click on the photo of the book for a complete description.

I am asking for readers willing to post an honest review with their personal opinion and rating to Goodreads, a personal blog, Bookstagram, or Amazon reviewer profile when the book is published this spring. It would really help get the word out and provide feedback for other readers.

If you could let me know the following by responding to this email, it would help me choose ARC readers for this project.

* Do you normally order and read Christian books? What genre do you most enjoy?

* Have you written reviews for books before? On what platform would you be willing to post an honest review?

* Would you be willing to commit to sharing a review on or soon after the release date?

If chosen, then I would send you a proof copy of the ebook in pdf format to your email and keep you up to date with the book's release.

I appreciate your consideration!

Here is the link to one of the 123 words in the book: The Word > "Compare"

Remember you can always check our blog for new updates too! Creative Bible Study Blog

Thanks for subscribing to this newsletter and joining me on my journey with Jesus! I appreciate each of you and pray for God's blessings on you and your ministry right where God has you!

Sincerely in Christ,

Susan <><

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