
Does the Bible seem dry like a textbook? Do you know what people mean when they call God’s Word His “love letter”? I am bursting at the seams to share with you a story of how the Bible transformed the life of my friend, Deb.
Women Wielding The Word
Sharing stories of how God has impacted our lives encourages us and builds our faith. It’s one of my favorite things to do!
This series is meant to be an encouragement to you. I’ve asked other bloggers to share what their time with God looks like and how the Bible has impacted their lives. No two stories are the same. Every woman’s devotional life looks different.
Read about other “Women Wielding the Word” in this series here.
Without further ado, let’s get to the good stuff! Here’s today’s guest, Deb Wolf.
Deb Wolf
When I was growing up, if the doors of our church were open … you
most likely found my family inside. I even attended an elementary school
that was part of our church.
After high school, I went to a
Christian College and studied to be a teacher so I could teach at,
you’ve got it … a Christian grade school.
After college, I
married a man studying to be a preacher!
I can’t remember a time
when I wasn’t teaching or being taught something from the Word of God.
The Bible has always been a part of my life.
But in
2005, the Bible went from textbook to love letter.
That’s the
year God allowed one of my worst fears to become a reality.
I
fell apart … helpless, overwhelmed, and heartbroken. For the first
time, I needed my Bible not as information for my faith but as the
lifeline I needed to get out of bed each day.
And as I read from
Genesis through Revelation God met me and began to heal my heart with
His mercy, grace, and love.
I’ve been passionate about reading
and studying God’s Word ever since.
My Bible Study Routine
Our children are grown, so I have time to begin my day with my Bible.
Over the past ten years, I’ve read the Chronological Bible, God’s Word Translation, the New International Version, and several others.
Last year, I read the Life Application Bible – New Living Translation. I even read all the notes, which I highly recommend if you’ve never read them before. The application notes gave me a lot to think about and helped me personalize verses to things that were going on in my life.
This year, I’m reading the Bible Study Plan at the back of the LAB – NLT. The
A 365-day reading plan that leads you from Genesis to Revelation in just a year. Though it doesn’t include every chapter and verse, it offers a complete view of Scripture and does so without being overwhelming. By skipping past material that appears more than once, it gives you a streamlined look at the entire Bible.
I chose this plan because I want to do
So, I’m
reading with a pen and journal … writing verses that stand out to me,
notes that help me remember important
The Way the Bible Touches My Life
I’m a mess.
I am extremely emotional. I struggle with anxiety. I procrastinate. I relive past failures and obsess about my current faults.
The truth … I can very easily spend too much time thinking about me! I can wander off into worry about my loved ones and get totally amped up by world problems.
Okay, that’s enough. I imagine you get the idea!
I NEED my time in God’s Word.
I need Him to remind me I am loved and forgiven.
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Psalm 86:5
I need Him to help me know that I have nothing to worry about.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6
I need Him to help me remember that He is sovereign and always in control.
Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor.
Psalm 96:9-10
Let all the earth tremble before Him.
Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
My Life Verse
During that first lifeline reading, one passage jumped off the page and became my life verse…
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
Psalm 73:26
My heart was broken … and He became my strength.
My spirit was
drained … and He gave me hope.
One day at a time, God healed and restored me.
The sentence before says…
I desire You more than anything on earth.
Psalm 73:25b
And that’s why I’m passionate about God’s Word!
I was broken and God showed up and fulfilled His promises in my life.
He is greater than my circumstances … Jeremiah 32:17
His love never fails … Psalm 31:7
His grace is sufficient … 2 Corinthians 12:9
He gives me strength … Isaiah 40:31
He will help me, I don’t need to be afraid … Isaiah 41:13
He will meet my needs … Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 6:33
And so many more.
My daily prayer is that the Lord will help me desire Him more than anything on earth!
With His Spirit’s help, I believe, He will make that prayer a reality in my life! And I believe He will do the same for you!
About the Author
Deb is a passionate blessing counter who loves learning about the ways faith and life intersect … the ways a relationship with God through faith in Jesus can make an impact on every moment of the day. Her word for 2019 is SEEK and the verse … Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need (Luke 12:31). Deb lives in Missouri with her husband and furry child, Sadie now that all of their human children are grown and have little ones of their own. And yes, being a grandparent is the best!
She’s hoping you will join her on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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I love Deb’s ‘realness’! We are all on a journey until the Lord returns!
I love her realness, too! 🙂
Thank you, Lucille, for your kind words of encouragement! It is a journey, isn’t it! So, thankful we have His Word and the power of His Spirit to help us!
Thank you, Jana! I so appreciate being able to share my story here in this beautiful space.
Thank YOU, Deb!
God’s word was and is already alive, but it sounds like it came alive to you in a deeper and more profound way when you were struggling and needed a lifeline, Deb. Isn’t that the way it is for all of us?! Thank you, Deb, for your vulnerability, and thank you Jana for sharing Deb’s inspiring story and words of wisdom with us today! I’m pinning this one for sure!
Sharing Deb’s story is my pleasure, Beth! And thanks for sharing it some more!
Well said, Beth, and absolutely true … God’s Word has always been and will always be alive. It became personally alive in my life during that painful time! Thanks so much for being such a wonderful encourager!
Oh, this is so encouraging!
Thank you, Michele!
Deb is such an amazing blogger. I truly enjoy her blogs, her contributions to the Christian blogging community, but most importantly her passion for living her life for God. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve been so blessed by Deb’s ministry, too. Thanks so much for reading, Brittany!
Brittany, Your kind words of encouragement truly bless me!! Thank you! You are touching lives for Jesus! I am so blessed by you!
Really enjoyed reading more about Deb! What a desire she has to love the Lord with all her heart!! It inspires me to read such realness along with the pureness of how she needs the word of God, she loves the Word of God! Thanks Jana for having her and thanks Deb for sharing your heart!!
I’m so glad you were inspired and encouraged, April!
Thank you, April! I am so glad you were blessed and encouraged! Seeking the Lord first in my life is my heart’s desire. I am an absolute MESS without Him! Blessings to you!!
Oh Deb, how I love your heart for the Word! It’s so amazing how God speaks freshness into words we have read a hundred times before… Your encouragement is always much appreciated! 😊 Stopping by from #letshavecoffee
Thank you, Laura! Your encouragement blesses me! I continue to be awed by the fact the words I have read countless time can speak to circumstances and needs in my life today. How beautiful God uses the Holy Spirit to make words jump off the page and touch my heart. What an amazing gift He has given to us. God bless you!!
I enjoyed this, Deb! I love hearing how the truths and promises of the Word transform our lives. God is so good!
Thank you, Kelly! I always appreciate your kind encouragement! God bless you!
Thanks for sharing your testimony and the comfort from God’s Word that you have received!
Thank you, Amy! God bless!
“I can wander off into worry about my loved ones and get totally amped up by world problems.” You’re describing me, Deb. I need time with Him or I’m lost in unhealthy places. Thanks for sharing!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Oh, Tammy, I lived in that constant state of anxiety and worry for too many years. I’m so thankful God, through His Word, continues to remind that “He’s totally got this!” I can rest in Him. Thanks and blessings!
I just LOVE this!!! Thanks for sharing Deb!
Oh, thank you so much, Patsy! Blessings and hugs!
God’s word is amazing. I too need it every day to remind me I am loved, I can do what is before me, and to point out where I need to change. Deb – I absolutely agree the study notes are great. You have inspired me to reach for God’s words this morning. Blessings, Maree
Thank you for sharing your post with Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Thank you, Maree! Your encouragement always blesses me! As do all the posts you share that point us to the Lord! Blessings, my friend!
beautiful work, deb, as always.
I can relate to this for sure, thank you for sharing!
I have a virtual folder in my email for what I receive from you, I love your messages and you real ness, thank you for your faithfulness in sharing with all .
Thanks for your encouragement, Sonjie!