Category: Bible Study

Love People Podcast

Unzipping the tent, I poked my head into the opening searching for an empty spot to drop my bags. Inside, the teen girls lounging on sleeping bags smiled and introduced themselves, immediately putting me at ease. After a two year hiatus due to COVID, we were re-launching our church’s annual student mission trip to Mexico. With both of my sons now out of high school, it was my first time going solo. Feeling a little insecure, I wondered if the students would be excited about having an “older” leader like me. Their initial greeting on the first day quelled my fears and enabled me to dive in and get to know the girls throughout the week. 

As we spent time talking about our faith each night after the campfire program, I was inspired to see how mature and genuine the girls were about their relationships with Jesus. Their eagerness to grow, serve, and learn was far beyond what I’d been like in high school. I wondered how I could spur on their desire for spiritual maturity after the trip, but was hesitant to add another commitment to my schedule.

A few months after we returned home, one of the girls reached out to me following an impactful experience on our church’s houseboat trip. Sitting with me in a coffee shop, she gushed about how her faith had come to life even more and wondered if I had ideas for how she could continue growing. Compelled by the Holy Spirit, words tumbled out of my mouth before I had time to think. I heard myself offering to meet with her regularly and suggesting we invite the other girls from our Mexico tent to join us. She accepted my offer without hesitation. When I reached out to the other girls, all three said “yes” immediately too. We had no idea how we’d sync up our busy schedules, but God showed us the way. Soon, the five of us began meeting from 7 to 8 every Friday morning. 

For the past school year, we’ve staked out a quiet corner in a local bagel shop, pushed two small tables together and studied Scripture (We’ve covered all twenty-one chapters of the Gospel of John and are now knee deep in Ephesians). Each week I’ve written a short lesson to guide our discussion. Pouring into these young women and watching them grow in faith has been a highlight of the year for me. The Lord always seems to multiply my time to prepare for our mornings together. Never once has it felt like a burden or an obligation.

All four girls recently graduated from high school and will be moving away to attend college in the fall. We’ll continue meeting as much as possible this summer until it’s time for them to leave. I well up with gratitude and joy as I think of them and how God has shaped them this year. What would I have missed if I’d listened to my insecurity and skipped the Mexico trip? Or if I’d decided I didn’t have time to meet with them for Bible study this year? By responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit I’ve been equipped to carry out His plans. 

One of my greatest joys has been cheering on the girls in the different places they’ve chosen to serve and explore their gifts this year. Each of them has made choices that have set them apart from their peers. They have lived worthy of the calling they’ve received (Ephesian 4:1). These young women are maturing spiritually as they discover and use the gifts God has given them. Unlike the majority of their peers, they are “no longer …infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14, NIV).

One of the girls recently started a podcast that gives her a platform to explore different aspects of her walk with Jesus. I had the privilege of being interviewed by her recently and am excited to share our conversation. Her questions gave me a chance to look back and reflect on the different places the Lord has called me. I’ve realized that most of my spiritual growth has happened as He’s pushed me beyond what’s comfortable into situations where I had no choice but to rely on His leading and wisdom. I hope and pray listening to our conversation will prompt you to consider where God may be calling you to trust Him and to let Him use you in a new way.

And now, sit back and enjoy the Love People Podcast.

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Plugging Into Your Power Source

Recently I returned from a mission trip in Mexico. The week away from the normal comforts of home was both exhausting and inspiring. Our group adapted to riding on bumpy local buses to and from our worksites, doing manual labor without power tools, camping in tents, attempting to bathe with water slowly draining from a plastic “sun shower,” and even using port-a-potties with a rather pungent aroma. But there was one comfort of home that most people couldn’t do without: cell phones. While they were used mostly for taking photos and communicating with family back home, they appeared to be the one convenience that was indispensable.

My first year on the trip, I was fortunate enough to be on a worksite with a foreman who had a truck and a phone charger. I never had to jockey for position at a power strip in camp during the few hours the generators were running. I remember scurrying to his truck one evening to plug in my phone. When I returned later, I was disappointed to discover that it hadn’t charged at all. A quick investigation revealed that the cord had been unplugged to make room for a different type of charger. I just hadn’t noticed in my haste. No matter how long my phone remained plugged into that cord, it was worthless without a power source.

And what is true for our all-important technology is even more essential in our spiritual lives. We simply can’t function well when we’re not consistently connected with our power source, God. Jesus describes this in John 15: ““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV) Maybe the twenty-first century version would sound like this: “I am the power source, you are the device. If you remain plugged into me, you will have the everything you need to fulfill my purposes; apart from me you can do nothing of spiritual significance.”

Paul writes a prayer about this very idea in the book of Colossians: “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:9b-12, NIV, italics added)

The prayers offered in this passage show the value and necessity of staying plugged into God. As we do that, we receive wisdom and understanding from the Spirit so that we bear fruit and grow, continually strengthened with His power so that we have endurance, patience, and joy.

As summer approaches, most of us look forward to a break from our regular routines. We anticipate the ease of a relaxing vacation at the beach, hiking mountain trails, or experiencing new cultures traveling abroad. Leisurely days reading a book or finally tackling projects on our to-do lists sound inviting after the rigors of the year.

What is unfortunate, however, is that for many of us a break from gathering for a large-group Bible study also equates with a break from our spiritual lives altogether. This is like hoping the charge on your phone will last throughout the summer without bothering to plug it in. It won’t.

So before you kick up your feet and revel in the newly opened spaces in your schedule, why not plan how you’ll stay connected to your Power Source during the break from your usual Bible study? Need some suggestions? Well, I’m glad you asked…

  1. Choose a new devotional to read daily. Read and study the Scriptures referenced in it. Take the time to absorb and apply what it says.  Here are several I’d recommend:

2. Choose a book of the Bible and keep a journal. After each chapter, stop and answer these four questions:

  • What does this teach me about God
  • What does this teach me about myself?
  • What do I need to do as a result of reading this passage?
  • What character qualities do I see in God displayed in this passage? (Questions adapted from Finding I Am by Lysa TerKeurst)
  • Check out the journaling Bibles at Crossway.com

3. Choose a Bible study to go through or finish a Bible study workbook that you didn’t complete during the year. Invite a few friends to do it with you and schedule times when you can meet during the summer to discuss what you’re learning. Text or e-mail each other in between meetings so you can spur each other on.  Here are several I’d recommend:

4. Read a book to gain deeper insight on a topic you want to learn about. Get some biblical perspective from a trusted Christian author.  Here are a few I’d recommend:

5. Subscribe to an online study or devotional from one of your favorite Christian authors. You can start by subscribing to this blog if you don’t already. I’ll be posting throughout the summer. Log onto my website www.marybethmccullum.com, look at the right side of the screen and you’ll see the heading “Subscribe to Blog Via E-mail.” Fill in your e-mail address and click the “subscribe” button. Be sure to confirm your subscription the first time you receive an e-mail from my website. 

Whatever ideas you decide to try, make it a priority to continue engaging your faith. My prayer is that you’ll connect to your spiritual Power Source during the summer months with the same consistency that you charge your electronic devices. Happy summer!

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Not of the World

Studying in Europe for a few months in college taught me the importance of recognizing and valuing cultures that were different from mine. Although my group was in an English-speaking country, the customs and social cues had many differences from the US. The ways we looked and spoke as Americans made it obvious that we weren’t locals. Although we tried to be respectful and blend in, our identity was distinctly different from the people there. 

I’ve experienced that same feeling of being different even in the country where I was born. Rooting my identity in Jesus has affected the choices I make, the viewpoints I hold, the language I use, and the way I interact with others. I’m often out of sync with the dominant culture, but when I feel like the odd one out, I take comfort remembering that Jesus described His followers as “not of the world.” He prayed for them saying, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:17-18, NIV) 

Before continuing, let’s clarify what “the world” means here. Pastor John Mark Comer defines it as: “a system of ideas, values, practices and social norms that are institutionalized into a culture that is organized around rebellion against God and the redefinition of good and evil.”1

Jesus saw His disciples as citizens of heaven temporarily residing on earth. Knowing His followers would need help, He asked His Father to sanctify us (set us apart) by the truth. Since Jesus says that God’s word is truth, understanding and following it becomes essential for us as believers. Studying the Bible and praying are like fueling our cars with gas. Only after we’ve been still in God’s presence, connected with Him, and taken in His word can we go out into the world and live differently from it. 

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest companions, provides additional insights on this, reminding believers to live as strangers in the world. Take a look at these three translations of 1 Peter 1:17 to get the fullest picture of what he means:

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”  (NIV, italics added for emphasis)

“And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.”  (ESV, italics added for emphasis)

“And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as ‘temporary residents.’” (NLT, italics added for emphasis)

Living as an outsider, a foreigner, an exile, or a temporary resident means that we hold loosely to this world because we know better things are yet to come. Striking the delicate balance of remaining an outsider while finding connecting points with non-believers is key. As we seek ways to be culturally relevant, we must also live “in reverent fear,” recognizing that our love for God means aligning with the truth of His word instead of embracing worldly perspectives.  It’s not always easy, but Peter gives clear instructions on this:

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:13-14, NIV)

Here are a few practical ways to apply Peter’s wisdom to our lives:

-Remain clear thinking and obedient to God.  No matter what people or circumstances you encounter, view them through the lens of God’s grace. Base your confidence on Him, not on being liked or accepted by others. When engaging with non-believers, pray that you can be a greater influence on them than they are on you. And when people around you are embracing sin, remember we no longer live “in ignorance” as they do. Choosing not to take part shows you’re different and honors God more than anything you can say.

-Dialogue with people about perspectives that differ from yours but speak with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) Ask the Lord to give you words of wisdom and grace for those who have accepted worldly influences and perspectives. Pray for empathy and sensitivity. Listen well. Be patient and gentle rather than becoming aggressive. Remember Scripture tells us to “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

-Remain set apart (holy) in your actions and attitudes, but not in your proximity to non-believers.  Living in a Christian bubble and looking down on the world around you misses the point of Jesus’ prayer. We are strangers here for a season, so that we can lovingly share Christ with the broken world that desperately needs His saving grace. Pray for God to lead you and equip you to engage with people who are ready to hear about the hope found in Him.

Living in the world without being of the world requires an ongoing pursuit of God and a deepening knowledge of His word. Joining a Bible study or small group will provide the structure and accountability needed to press on. Maintaining godly relationships that spur on your faith will help to keep you aligned with God’s truth. The end of summer is the perfect time to get connected and prioritize spiritual growth. Why not find a group today and get started?

If the world is making you weary, you’ll find encouragement in “Strangers Here” by Tenth Avenue North. Click here to listen to the song.

1. Quote from John Mark Comer’s sermon “Fighting the Flesh, the Devil & The Way of the World.” You can also learn more about this topic from his book: Live No Lies: Recognize and Resist the Three Enemies that Sabotage Your Peace.

The Identity That Matters Most

I love stories where a plot twist reveals a character’s hidden identity. One of my favorites is The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis. The seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia overflow with spiritual significance. This story focuses on an orphan boy named Shasta raised by a poor fisherman. I don’t want to spoil the story if you haven’t read it, but Shasta embarks on an adventure that leads to a surprising discovery about his true identity. It turns out he’s not an impoverished orphan, but the lost son of a king.

Lewis describes the moment Shasta discovers his true identity:

“What came next surprised Shasta as much as anything that had ever happened to him in his life. He found himself suddenly embraced in a bear-like hug by King Lune and kissed on both cheeks.”

It takes time for Shasta and other characters to adjust to this shocking turn of events. At the palace, he learns that he was kidnapped as a baby and presumed dead. When the king sees Shasta is the exact image of his son, he realizes his lost twin has been found. Not long after learning the news, Shasta enters a room announced by trumpeters and dressed as royalty for the first time. His traveling companion, Aravis, reacts with surprise:

“Aravis looked twice at his face before she gasped and said, ‘Why! It’s Shasta!’
Shasta all at once turned very red and began speaking very quickly, ‘Look here, Aravis,’ He said, ‘I do hope you won’t think I’m got up like this (and the trumpeter and all) to try to impress you or make out that I’m different or any rot of that sort. Because I’d far rather have come in my old clothes, but they’re burnt now, and my father said—’
‘Your father?’ said Aravis.
‘Apparently King Lune is my father.’”

With his unknown identity revealed, Shasta’s life changes dramatically. He can hardly fathom that he’s the beloved son of the king.

It’s makes a satisfying plot twist, but Lewis didn’t write it just for our entertainment. Shasta’s story illustrates a deep spiritual truth. Every follower of Jesus is the beloved child of the King of Kings. Here’s how the Bible describes our identity in Christ: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 3:1a & 1 John 4:13-16, NIV)


Sometimes I wonder if we’re a bit like Shasta, feeling awkward and unsure of our identity in Christ. Do we believe the King of the universe loves us as His precious children? Do we live like it’s true? Or, do we opt to wear our comfortable old rags and behave as if nothing has changed?

There’s a lot of talk about identity in the world today. It seems everyone wants to drive a stake into the ground to show who they are. But for those who follow Jesus, our primary identity needs to be rooted in the knowledge that we are beloved children of the King of Kings. That’s the only one that lasts all the way into eternity.

Being royalty has certain privileges and responsibilities. It means taking time to discover God’s character and to align with His ways. As His children, we are set apart, different from the rest of the world. We approach life from a perspective that aims to please God, not ourselves. Of course, we don’t always get it right–living into our identity in Christ is a slow process of transformation that takes a lifetime. (The Bible calls this process sanctification.)

What identity do you wear most visibly? How does that identity dictate the choices you make? If you’ve acknowledged Jesus as your Savior, do you know who God says you are? The best way to learn about about this is by reading the Bible. It’s also the way you can discover more about God and His character. You’ll learn more effectively if you prioritize meeting with others to learn with you. As you pursue God and delve into His Word, you’ll develop peaceful confidence knowing you’re deeply loved as a child of the King of Kings.

Want to learn some of the different aspects of your identity in Jesus? Be sure to check out my next few posts. Until then, let this song remind you of your truest and most important identity: Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship

If you haven’t read it, pick up a copy of The Horse and His Boy to read this summer. (So many great truths in this little book- I promise I didn’t spoil the whole thing!)

C.S. Lewis The Horse and His Boy, Collier Books, 1954; 188,195-6.

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Summer in Sight

A few months ago I read a book called Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge. It urges readers to maintain a mindset that pursues growth and staves off decay. The premise is simple: use it or lose it. As we get older, we have to be more intentional about keeping our bodies and minds strong by consistently engaging in physical activities, intellectual challenges, and community connections. 

Although I’ve always believed in the importance of regular exercise, my regimen has become more focused recently. I’ve ridden a spin bike for several years at my own pace, usually while enjoying a podcast or an audio book. I thought I was pushing myself until I started taking classes online. It was humbling to discover how challenging they were. Turns out I wasn’t training as hard as I wanted to believe because my mind and body were focused on different tasks. Getting them in sync has made my workouts more effective. Instead of putting in half-hearted effort, I’m more aware when I need to modify or take a day off to rest. My endurance has improved and I feel stronger and more durable. Because I don’t want to lose the ground I’ve gained, I’m intentional about making plans and goals to maintain my physical fitness.

As formal Bible study programs wind down and we head into the unstructured months of summer, I see a clear correlation to my spiritual life. I’ve grown in the last year through consistently studying God’s Word and gathering with others to learn together. Now, just because organized groups are taking a break, I don’t want to put the brakes on studying the Bible with others: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV)

As much as I love the freedom and flexibility of summer, I know I’m better off maintaining a connection with people who will spur me to stay in God’s Word consistently. Just as forsaking exercise won’t benefit my body, taking a vacation from spiritual growth won’t be positive for my heart or mind.  

One of my favorite things about summer is choosing a study and inviting a few people to meet periodically to discuss it. Looking back, I smile thinking of friendships that have grown during breaks from formal group gatherings at church. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me this year.

Why not try it too? Summer is the perfect time to ask a few friends to go through a Christian book or Bible study with you. Whether you meet weekly or pick dates around your travels, you’ll be blessed by continuing in community. There’s no better way to create accountability and remain in God’s Word. Don’t let the relaxed pace and warm weather lull you into complacency. If you’d like suggestions for summer studies, click here for a few options.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

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Sharing Hope

Feeling the vibration of my phone in my purse, I pulled it out and checked my texts. A long-time friend was reaching out to ask for prayer as her father neared the end of his life. Feeling weary and discouraged from months of dealing with doctors, caregivers, and grim diagnoses, she’d dashed off a text to a small group of us who had been supporting her. Empathizing with her grief, I replied with words of encouragement and a few verses that had sustained me in similar situations. Other friends chimed in with additional support, prayers, and Bible verses. Later, she replied to tell us how grateful she was to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus. 

In the past few years I’ve had many opportunities like this one. It’s a privilege to help someone reframe hard circumstances by looking at them from an eternal perspective. Experiences like this affirm Priscilla Shirer’s words in her Elijah Bible study: “What God says pinpoints the hinge that separates hope from hopelessness, possibility from impossibility…Elijah’s time in Cherith is what enabled his faith reflex to be so easily ignited during his interaction with the widow. He seemed almost to jump at the chance to introduce God’s provision and promise to her. He didn’t minimize her lack or pretend it wasn’t real…[but] he emphasized the word of the Lord that applied to her specific circumstance.”1

Elijah had experienced God’s miraculous provision first-hand during the eighteen months ravens fed him while living by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-6). So, when he left Cherith and encountered a starving widow in Zarephath preparing to make her final meal “Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid….For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:13a, 14-16, NIV)

Elijah’s experience in Cherith enabled him to offer life-giving hope to the widow in Zarephath. But this story isn’t meant to stay tucked in the pages of Scripture. Priscilla Shirer challenges us, “Listen to me: Zarephath strategically brings you face to face with someone else’s impossibility—the terminal diagnosis, the unreachable child, the failing marriage, the crippling depression. Hear them and sincerely empathize when they tell you what they see, but don’t leave the conversation without inserting what their omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, promise-keeping God says.”2

Of course, being able to give hope to someone else implies you’re pursuing God on your own—investing time in His Word, claiming His promises, and trusting that He’s going to come through for you. Our ability to encourage others and point them toward hope depends largely on how well we know God for ourselves. A firm foundation of faith is laid one day at a time. Intimacy with the Lord builds trust and provides hope when the world tells us all is lost. Priscilla Shirer describes the benefit of doing this: “As God matures and refines us, life’s crises won’t be capable of flipping the switch inside us that rams us into fear and anxiety mode. Instead, they will trigger and innate reaction within us to call out, to cry out, to the Lord. To trust Him. To rely on His sovereignty.”3

As we learn to lean into the Lord and let Him speak to us in trials and difficulties, He’ll use those experiences to give us “Zarephath moments” to encourage others. In the New Testament, Paul affirms this saying “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

It’s a privilege to come along side others in their pain and struggles; it’s a joy to point them toward hope found only through Jesus. To do this effectively, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

1) Don’t rush your own healing process in your zeal to help others. If you’re enduring a trial or hardship, be tender and patient with yourself. Recognize your own limitations. Helping others while you’re still in the midst of your own hard situation can short-circuit your healing and be detrimental to them. You need the benefit of perspective before you’re ready to offer support. Elijah couldn’t attest to the Lord’s provision until he’d completed his tenure by the brook Cherith. 

2) Remember that others’ struggles aren’t exactly like yours. While there may be parallels between the difficulty you’ve had and the one someone else is facing, there are also differences. There’s usually not a one-size-fits-all approach to trials and challenges each of us face. And no one needs to hear how much worse your situation was in comparison with the one they’re enduring. Be honest about what you’ve experienced, but be sensitive and listen well.

3) If you’re going to share a Bible verse, take time to explain why it impacted you. Don’t make Scripture trite by throwing random verses at a hard situation and hoping they’ll stick. It’s meaningful to share promises from the Bible, books, songs, and articles that God used to encourage you, so be sure to tell your struggling friend how you benefited from them.

As you expand in your knowledge of Scripture and experience personal encouragement from it, the Lord will give you opportunities to share His truth with others who need hope too. Why not take a moment to pray about it right now? Try something like this: Lord, help me commit to studying your Word and applying it to my circumstances. Show me where I need personal healing before I can help others. Prompt me with the right words when you’re calling me to be a spokesperson for Your promises, as Elijah was for the widow in Zarephath. Help me to be sensitive and listen well. Please continue to encourage me in my struggles and lead me to opportunities to share hope with others who need it too. 

Let Mike Doheny’s song “All Together” inspire you to be authentic in your personal hardships and empathetic with others. Click here to listen.

  1. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 104.
  2. Ibid, 104
  3. Ibid, 109 

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When Convenience Leads to Compromise

We first meet Elijah in 1 Kings 18 as he confronts wicked King Ahab of Israel and tells him the Lord will withhold rain from Israel for three years. To understand this bold confrontation, we need some historical context. Priscilla Shirer takes us back in time to Solomon’s dedication of the temple, “over the course of eight decades in Israel, spanning six different kings, the God-honoring families who once esteemed Him had incrementally relaxed their commitments. They’d departed from the singular worship of Yahweh. They’d welcomed idolatrous activity into their lives as an accepted practice.”1

This downward spiral picked up speed about 50 years before King Ahab, when his forefather, Jeroboam, became the first king of Israel’s Northern Kingdom. Jeroboam feared any threat to his power, especially from his southern rival in Judah, King Rehoboam. This fear led him to reinvent what and where his people worshiped: “After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’”(1 Kings 12:28, NIV)

So, to maintain his power and influence, Jeroboam rejected the ways of the Lord by making new religious symbols (golden calves) and new sanctuaries closer to home. Additionally, he installed new priests who complied with his wishes instead of following the Word of God. Finally, he replaced the Lord’s decrees to celebrate festivals at specific times and created new ones to replace them.2 He did all of this under the pretense of making worship more convenient for his people.

This rejection of the Lord, His ways, and His decrees set up future generations of Israelites to follow similar patterns and to add additional offenses on top of them. Ironically, Jeroboam ignored the promise the Lord had made to him years earlier: “I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.” (1 Kings 11:37b-38, NIV)

It seems so ridiculous, doesn’t it? We wonder how someone who had been promised so much could veer in the opposite direction and take a whole nation with him. It would be wise for us to learn from Jeroboam’s example and its consequences on future generations. Let’s examine them together.

-Jeroboam ignored God’s promises. He let fear of losing power and the desire to control his people drive him to create idols and devise new religious practices. It makes me wonder: When do we let fear cause us to ignore God’s promises? When are we so consumed with maintaining control of a situation that we do the opposite of what the Lord wants us to do? 

-Jeroboam made new gods for the Israelites to worship. People worship what captivates their time and attention. If we’re too busy or distracted to prioritize worshiping the Lord, praying, and Scripture reading, then what’s attracting our focus? We know better than to bow down to golden calves, but are there other less obvious “new gods” that dominate our thoughts and dictate our actions?

-Jeroboam used convenience as an excuse for compromise. Rather than traveling all the way to Jerusalem to worship in the temple, he created new sanctuaries closer to home. Where are we tempted to compromise for the sake of convenience? Are online church services making it easy to opt out of gathering with others for in-person worship? Do we tune out or numb ourselves when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin? Are we approaching church as consumers looking to be accommodated and expecting to be served? 

-Jeroboam appointed new priests who didn’t honor God or follow His Word. Are we tempted to follow the teachings of those who are revising beliefs to align with popular culture? Are we picking and choosing which biblical standards we want to follow? Are we replacing the authority of sound teaching with opinions of people who have charisma but lack character and biblical knowledge? 

-Jeroboam invented new religious festivals to replace ones instituted by God. Each feast on the Jewish calendar prompted God’s people to remember specific events that showed His faithfulness, or to make atonement for their sins. Additionally, observing the Sabbath created a weekly opportunity for the people to stop, slow down, and reconnect with the Lord. I wonder: Have we allowed holidays rooted in Scripture to be overshadowed by secular culture? Do we build in time for Sabbath rest once a week to experience spiritual refreshment and renewal? 

Those Old Testament stories that seem remote have more relevance than we realize at first glance. The questions I’ve asked may be unsettling, but they’re meant to help you consider any needed course corrections for your good. Are you willing to evaluate where you’re being influenced to compromise your faith for convenience, comfort, or acceptance?

Let Priscilla Shirer’s comments motivate you to realign with God’s truth and prioritize obedience to Him: “He has revealed Himself in creation so clearly that even those who aren’t seeking Him or wanting Him can be captivated by His majesty and power, His beauty and tenderness, as seen in the world around them. In fact, the evidence is so conspicuous that those who don’t believe are held responsible for ignoring it because in self-deceit they have willingly suppressed the mountain of evidence…When people foolishly declare there is no God, or when they dishonor Him by refusing to acknowledge Him or give Him due reverence, He eventually lets go. When people hate the things God has called good, or love the things He’s called evil, He finally just lets them have what they want, as well as the consequences that come with it.”3

Consider responding with a prayer like this: God, please make me more like Elijah. Show me where I’ve been tainted by idolatrous influences or dulled into spiritual apathy. Help me to recognize where I’ve compromised with secular culture and adopted attitudes and perspectives that align with it more than Your Word. Free me from the need to impress or please others. Help me to value your righteousness and to eliminate anything that I’m holding in higher regard than You.

While some people want to factor God out of the equation like Jeroboam did, the Lord’s power and presence remain as strong as ever. Be reminded of this by listening to “My God is Still the Same” by Sanctus Real.

  • 1. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah: Faith and Fire, Lifeway Press, 2020, p. 27
  • 2. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books, 1985, p. 512-514
  • 3. ibid, p.30 (commentary on Romans 1:28)

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Elijah: Just Like Us

Choosing which people in Scripture to include in Extraordinary Prayer posed some challenges for me. Because there are more individuals with prayers recorded in the Bible than I could include in one study, I had to make some hard choices. One person that I left out was the prophet Elijah. Despite being a mighty prayer warrior, his unusual story has so many facets to address that it seemed like he needed a study devoted only to him. That’s one of the many reasons I’m excited to pick up where we left off last fall by studying his life in Priscilla Shirer’s Elijah: Faith and Fire.

Shirer explains, “The Bible sets [Elijah] beside Moses as the primary prophetic figure of the Old Testament and uses him as a point of spiritual reference throughout the New Testament, centuries after he lived. He seems almost super-human, right? An exception to the rule instead of an example to which we can aspire.” (p. 16) And yet, the book of James tells us: “Elijah was a human being, even as we are.” (James 5:17, NIV)

Did you catch that? Elijah was just like us. He was an ordinary person through whom God accomplished the extraordinary. That theme probably sounds familiar if you spent time doing Extraordinary Prayer with me last fall. Studying Elijah for the next couple of months will give us the opportunity to pull back the curtain on his life so that we can see not only the spectacular feats God performed through him, but the human frailty that makes him so relatable. 

Priscilla Shirer points out: “Elijah’s limitations, weaknesses, and emotional quirks didn’t scare God off or disqualify him from serving God in a mighty way…[God] didn’t ignore His prophet’s needs and neuroses. He worked with them; He made use of them in showing His care for Elijah, as well as showing what He can accomplish in each of us despite our human imperfections.” (p.20)

I have plenty of limitations, weaknesses, and emotional quirks. I’m guessing you do, too. Isn’t it comforting to know that they don’t disqualify us from serving the Lord? Let’s commit to giving this study our effort and attention. Consider the next seven weeks of guided time in the Bible as an invitation to discover new things about God’s character, Elijah’s story, and how the Lord wants to grow your personal faith. It’s one simple way to follow the example of Elijah, whose quiet and consistent devotion to the Lord allowed God to work in mighty ways through him.

How about stopping right now to offer a short prayer of commitment? Try something like this: God, I praise you for using ordinary people to accomplish the extraordinary. Forgive me for doubting this or for being too distracted to invest in our relationship consistently. Thank you for the gift of your Word and the opportunity to study it with others who are committed to following you. Help me commit to doing the study of Elijah consistently over the coming weeks. Please multiply my time, increase my ability to focus, and give me the motivation to study the Bible with the attention it deserves. Remind me to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me and to show me how to apply what I’m learning. Help me to rely on your strength and to let you work in and through me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Let Danny Gokey’s “Stand in Faith” inspire you as we kick off this new study together.  Click here to listen.

Priscilla Shirer, Elijah: Faith and Fire, Lifeway Press, 2020.

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Session 7: Mary’s Prayer

Do you remember setting up your family’s manger scene at Christmas time? I still recall how much I loved arranging each character in the nativity. Baby Jesus was always placed in His rightful position in the center, nestled in the manger. Next, I would put the Christ child’s parents flanking Him protectively. Fanning out on either side of Mary and Joseph, I’d arrange the shepherds with a few sheep and the wisemen with their camels, all looking on with reverence and awe. Finally, several barnyard animals and an angel affixed to the roof of the stable would complete the joyful scene.

I never gave Mary much thought as an individual—she was just one of the players in an incredible, dramatic story. Years later, after I had children of my own, I had a deeper appreciation for her and all that she must have experienced. As I’ve studied the few passages where Mary appears in Scripture, my esteem for her has only grown. I’ve been amazed to realize what a wise, godly woman she was in spite of her tender age. 

Consider, for example, Mary’s incredible knowledge of Scripture. During her pregnancy, a visit with her relative, Elizabeth, prompted her to sing a prayer of praise to the Lord that’s overflowing with quotes and allusions from the Old Testament. “Some scholars believe that Mary was so steeped in Scripture that the words just flowed from her.”1 Her song, called The Magnificat, begins by praising God and expressing gratitude at being chosen to bear the Messiah. Like many prayers we’ve studied, Mary focuses first on worship and adoration:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49, NIV)

Mary’s words echo praises to the Lord found in other portions of Scripture. Her prayer reveals her knowledge of words written by kings and prophets including David, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah and Moses. It also reveals considerable knowledge of God’s character and the history of His Chosen People. Every verse correlates with other portions of Scripture. 

We’ll never know on this side of heaven how Mary learned so much of the Old Testament at such a young age, but we can let her example inspire us to pursue God’s Word with passion and consistency. Maybe, like me, it was Mary’s mother who first taught her stories from Scripture. I can’t help but think of the dedication I wrote for my mom in the opening pages of Extraordinary Prayer. She was the first person to introduce me to Jesus and to show me the value of studying God’s Word. I still picture her poring over her enormous Bible at our kitchen table surrounded by papers and commentaries. It was her example that spurred me on to prioritize studying the Bible and teaching it to others. 

My mom has been on my mind a lot lately. Last year around this time, I was spending every day with her as cancer delivered its final blows to her broken body. In her lucid moments, we talked about what awaited her in heaven. I remember her smile of anticipation at the thought of seeing Jesus face to face and of reuniting with my dad. Despite her pain, she exuded peace. My mom believed so firmly in the hope of the gospel she’d studied for years that there was no need for fear. Knowing Scripture guided her in life and reassured her as she prepared for death. 

A few days after she passed away, I came across two passages that jumped off the pages of my Bible: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4, NIV) I realized this was exactly what my mom had done for me. She taught me about God’s faithfulness and helped me find reassurance in His Word whenever I needed it.

The second passage both comforted and surprised me: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did;” (Psalm 116:15-16a, NIV) It felt personal and affirming–as if God was telling me to continue the passion for Scripture my mom had modeled to me. Her time on hospice occurred as I was making final edits to the manuscript for Extraordinary Prayer. So, it seemed fitting to add those passages to the dedication I’d already included in the front of the book. To me, they’re a reminder to continue sharing what I’m learning in Scripture with others so that they can find hope, joy, and peace. 

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God’s Word is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12) My mom knew this, which is why she could believe promises written several thousand years ago applied to her personally. She knew her salvation was secure because of Jesus. My mom didn’t lose heart as her body began to fail because her eyes were fixed on what is unseen and eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Mary also knew she could trust the Scriptures. This enabled her to take words from prophets and kings and apply them to her personal circumstances. Instead of being fearful about her pregnancy and all of the unknowns she faced, she rejoiced knowing God chose her to be part of fulfilling prophecies she’d heard all her life.

These examples remind me that knowing the Bible should change how we interpret personal events. When we trust the goodness of God’s character, hardships become spiritual growth opportunities. So, let’s continue to pursue studying Scripture and applying it to our lives, following in the footsteps of these godly examples and many others like them. 

Listen to Jenn Johnson and Bethel Worship sing “Goodness of God” and imagine it from Mary’s perspective. Then, make the words your personal prayer today.

1. Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer, page 175

Come Near to God

Tugging on her father’s sleeve and looking up at him with pleading eyes, the little girl asked, “Can we have some Daddy-Daughter time now?” Smiling, he stood up without hesitation, excused himself, and left the circle of adults to tend to his girl. I always admired the close connection between this pair of family friends. The little daughter approached her loving father with boldness and confidence knowing he would gladly respond to her request. She knew when she needed him, and he gladly received her.

This is a beautiful picture of what God will do for each of us. He says in His Word: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

Throughout the Bible we see examples of the Lord in the role of a parent to His people: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a, NIV) Paul tells believers we can cry out to God using the name “Abba Father.” (Romans 8:15) Author and pastor Tim Keller explains, “We need to know the original language here. ‘Abba’ was an Aramaic term which is best translated ‘Daddy’—a term of the greatest intimacy. A child does not always (or even often) address his father as ‘Father’; likely, he has a different term for him that shows his loving, trusting familiarity with his father, such as ‘Dad’ or ‘Papa’ or ‘Daddy.’ And this is how Christians can approach the all-powerful Creator of the universe, who sustains every atom in existence moment by moment!”1

Despite this amazing truth, not all of us approach the Lord with such confidence and enthusiasm. For some of us, prayer feels like a chore. For others, it’s become stale and boring because we’re in a rut using the same words and praying for the same things. Others of us resort to prayer only when we’re really desperate, and some of us shy away from praying altogether, not knowing what to say or how to say it.

Maybe you recognize yourself somewhere on this spectrum. Even if you don’t, I bet that, like me, you have room to expand and deepen your prayer life. If you’re ready to dive in and grow in your connection with the Lord, I’d be thrilled to have you join me for the next few months doing my new study Extraordinary Prayer. We’ll use the Bible as our guide and will explore the prayers of people who cried out to God with authenticity and confidence. 

Opening your book each day will be your chance to tug your Heavenly Father on the sleeve and tell Him you’re in need of some Daddy Time. It’s your opportunity to steal away from the chaos of our world and connect with the One who made you and knows you best. 

Scripture tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  (James 4:8, NIV) Let’s learn more about how to do this together. Whether you’re participating in person at CPC Danville’s Focused Living or online through my blogs and teaching videos, I hope you’ll join me. In fact, why not grab a few friends and do it together? 

If you need a book, you can order one here. Each session includes group discussion questions. Teaching videos will be live streamed every Thursday morning starting on Sept. 9 and can be accessed any time after they’re recorded weekly on CPC Women’s Ministry YouTube channel. Click here to access teaching videos.

Let’s kick off the study by celebrating our loving Abba with Chris Tomlin’s “Good Good Father.”

  1. Tim Keller quoted from “3 Things You Can Learn from Tim Keller about Being a Child of God” on CrossWalk.com.

Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer: Using God’s Word to Expand Your Prayer Life, 2020.