Barb Raveling

Tips, Tools, & Bible Studies to Renew Your Mind

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How to Use the Bible for Help with Real Life Problems

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Let me ask you a question: Do you need God?

Or do you just want Him?

It’s easy to reach the point where you need Him when you’re sick, destitute, or traumatized. It’s hard to reach that point when everything’s going well.

That’s one of the beauties of  a renewing of the mind project: as soon as you start it, things won’t be going well anymore!

You’ll fail. You’ll be attacked spiritually. And you’ll want to give up. You’ll need God just to keep going.

If you decide to work on transformation—not just to kind of work on it, but to really work on it—it won’t be long before you’re desperate for God. Because there’s no way you can break free from your sin without Him.

One of the best ways to go to Him is through Scripture.

When You Need an Adjustment

Going to the Bible is like going to a chiropractor whom you just happen to be married to. You love that chiropractor so it’s fun to spend time with him (or her). But you’re also going for a purpose: Your body is messed up, and you need an adjustment.

You’re going for help with a specific problem.

Your problem in this case is the sin you’re working on. And since the Word is living, all parts of it can speak to your particular sin in some way.

Journaling

In my journal I’ll often record what God teaches me through my Bible reading that day and how it applies to whatever I’m working on at the moment. I’ve been reading Daniel lately and finding all kinds of things that apply to blogging—not things I’m going to write about on my blog, but things that will help me keep God first in my life as I write my blog.

If you want to try this, start with a book of the Bible and record what God teaches you about your project in your journal. Philippians would be a good one to start with as it would probably apply to most projects.

I’ve also included some new resources up at the top of the blog. If you’re new to the blog and don’t know what I’m talking about when I talk about projects, check out the renewing of the mind project tab. I’ll be finishing up the other tabs in the next few weeks.

Note: Francis Chan talks about the struggle to live as a Christian who needs God in Lukewarm and Loving It. This is a great message if you have time to listen to it.

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Comments

  1. Thanks for the message. I’ve been trying to remind myself that I NEED God like I would breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I love that Francis sermon! He really convicted me in that one. I know morning devotions help my days go more smoothly because I am more Christ centered. Currently reading through Judges (on Gideon) in the morning, but thanks for reminding me to apply the word.

  2. CJ, I like your idea of reminding ourselves that we need God like we need breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I keep being struck by what a man of God Daniel was – he was upright, wise, moral in his behavior, humble, always gave God the glory, followed Him when it was hard to follow Him, etc, etc, etc. And he prayed three times a day. Reminds me of your three meals idea.

  3. This is great stuff. Our pride and self-sufficiency are some of the biggest barriers to us truly growing and meeting with God. Realizing that we’re truly helpless is the first step.

  4. We’ve all probably heard the worship song that says, “You are the air I breathe.” This is so true in my life. I can’t live more than a few minutes without air, and I can’t live that long without God either. In fact, He is more important than air, but I don’t want to think about doing without that right now. Because I know where I go without Him, I know I can’t live without His presence. It’s the only thing that has kept me alive at certain points in my life. Sometimes, His presence feels as natural as air, and I even take it for granted like I do air. Yet, He always gently reminds me that He’s there, and all that I am experiencing becomes infinitely better when He does.

  5. Very inspiring. I know without a doubt that God is the answer to all the failures and disappointments I have had in life. Thank you for your wise words. God bless you

  6. I needed this word so much today. I’ve been doing your Bible Study “A Taste For Truth” -admittedly, things have not been going very well. And I gave just not been able to figure out why! Now I see I am under spiritual attack! I need The Lord now more than ever!! I am NOT going to give up. Thank you for this post!! It was really a word in due season!!!

    • So glad the post helped Beth! Praying that things will go well for your weight loss journey – i know how hard it is. It took me forever, it seemed, to get control of food! You’ll get there!