5 Minute Bible Study: Find out we aren't as bad as we think because God is better than we know.

After a very rough marriage, I spent time looking back at it. The countless empty promises to me. The grand statements and empty gestures. The claims that I was loved but the loneliness that proved otherwise. Five long years of telling myself that words were good enough. Words were all that I needed. But that wasn't true. If the words aren't true, they don't mean much. They don't do much for my heart. I wonder if God feels the same. We make big promises. We say we believe in a higher power...or Jesus dying on the cross. But do they mean much? Are they empty words? Empty promises? Empty commitments? A lot of claims but do our actions tell God - and others - the opposite is actually true? We can come up with all the fancy arguments and excuses but in the end, only actions really matter.

I'm an impatient person and an aggressive driver. But before you get excited about 'aggressiveness' being a godly trait, hang on. God isn't an impatient driver with road rage, like some of his children....But when I read this and realized He is aggressive, I loved the way it was said. It got me excited. That was a sign that something was happening. If we ever thought he was, this day he proved he wasn't in limbo. I also like Jesus' questions to the people about why they went to see John...If it wasn't '......' maybe it was '......'. Maybe, just maybe, you were more curious about God than you wanted to admit? Are you in that place? More curious about God than you want to admit? Go take a peek in the desert.

If you were a fly on my wall for a week, and then you went home to your family and they asked you to tell them about me...I wonder what you would have to say. What would a week with me tell you? What would a week with me show you? What would a week with you tell me? What would a week with you show me? Would we be satisfied with the reports about us?

When I read this part, I get why people don't want to follow Jesus' way. I've been desperate for people's approval for my whole life and now you want me to follow Jesus which will actually cause more people not to like me? This terrifies me. Even having begun this podcast/vlog whatever. I look like a whack job. I question myself every day when I hit record. It is so hard to say yes to being the outcast.

Just last night I went to the mall, with an unexplained sadness. But for the first time in a lot of sad shopping days, I came home with nothing. I didn't even try on anything. I just walked in and out of a store. When effort was required to see if I would like something, I would dismiss it muttering, "That won't make me happy." I've never done that and it wasn't a great feeling. It isn't like I was feeling so holy in the moment. More lazy. But, though it was dark, I knew that it wouldn't fix me. It wouldn't give me the peace I was needing. That I AM needing. That's a victory right? Are you searching too? Finding anything good?

This really hit me. I won't remember it permanently. I will have to remind myself over and over. But when I do think about it, how could I think fate is in control? Or me? How can we think we are in control?

Ummmmm I'm not so sure. But really, what am I actually living? What is my life actually about? If I say I'm a Christian and I'm actually living it, life shouldn't be hunky dory all the time right? Jesus wasn't a jerk but his life wasn't hunky dory either you know? So if I really mean it when I say I'm a Christian... if you really mean it when you say your a Christian... what are our actions telling people? What are they telling God?

I've always watched retired people around me retire young, travel whenever and wherever they want, having the life of leisure. When we put money aside for retirement, that life is the goal in my head. But I chased a version of that when I was a single mom, too. But time went too quickly and I didn't feel as good as I thought. Even now, I have a dream for the way my day to day life should look...sometimes I get it, but I don't get the satisfaction that I think it should bring me. What is my problem? Do you feel the same way? What do you dream your day to day life to look like?

What's the worst thing you've ever said? Now answer that question in terms of, when trying to tell someone about Jesus what is the worst thing you've ever said? I always feel inadequate or like I need to sound like a preacher or theologian. Or I back pedal thinking I've screwed it up. It feels like so much pressure. I also feel like I'm not the right person for the task. Thinking about it now, how little credit I give the Holy Spirit and how much power to I give myself? But I think in this passage, Jesus to just do the talking. Let Him take care of it from there.

It sounds so simple. Just get out there, make an effort, tell people how awesome God is and then forget about it. Do your part, don't worry about their part. And I KNOW God is good. These last 3 years have been game changers for me. Completely. So WHY is it still hard and scary?!? I believe wholeheartedly and I want others to have this too. But it is so hard to open my mouth sometimes. I'm ready Billy Graham's autobiography and when he was in college, he would go to the park and preach 5 or 6 times randomly. Wasn't he embarrassed??? Hesitant? Didn't people make fun of him or heckle him? How did he do it? If you know the secret, feel free to share:)

Let me tell you mine. My husband Ted - he's my best friend, he's handy, good looking, kind, hard worker. My friend, Amy - she's fun and loving but she has the weirdest life hacks that always come in handy. Plus, if you need anything, she's there in a heart beat. My parents - that's 2 - they always know what they are doing and have good advice and they step up at any moment. My friend Janette - I'm an open book with her and I think she's an open book with me. We can talk about anything at all AND she's an amazing cook. I could keep going but I won't. But who would you pick to be on your dream team for life if it was a team of 12? I think Jesus made some poor choices. Odd choices. I think he could have done better. More successful, more power or authority, more money, less shady. But I guess he got exactly who he wanted. I should be relieved about that?

Yep. Me too. That's why I am no longer at the church I attended since birth. It's a bit of a kick in the teeth. BUT experiencing what I am now for the last 2 years, I'm glad I just gave up on A church and not THE church or Jesus. I floundered for a number of years between leaving my old church and finding the church I'm in now. But it has been worth it. Painful and long. But worth it. Did you give up on Jesus? Do you wish you hadn't? Or are you holding on by a thread?

I think if I'm honest, at some points, I would stake my life on me - because I'm a control freak. I'm the only one who can get it done and get it done right. So I often think I'm the end all and be all. I think I've assumed that if I take the "right" steps in life, I will have success. If I get married, it will be forever and I will have children - all the children I want. And if I have children and faithfully bring them to church, they will choose to believe as well at some point. That's why I panic when we do things differently or not the way I envisioned. So weird. Do you have anything? Can you really trust it 100%??? Is there anything? How strong is your belief?

Are you superstitious? I can be when I'm watching sports:) Especially Rafael Nadal. If I was in the kitchen when he was doing well, and then come to sit on the couch and starts playing poorly, I will go find something to do in the kitchen so that I'm in the lucky room:) Yep! It's true!!!!!! But if he starts doing well again, I've got to be crazy to think it is because I went to the kitchen!!!!! It's his skill! He just straightened out his game!!!!! How often I do this with God though. I did my quiet time 5 days in a row, and good things were happening and prayers were answered. Then if I miss a couple of days, I think I'm being punished for not doing the quiet time ritual. Do you do this??? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

I'm a rules person. I'm strict - even with myself. I'm harsh with myself. I remember when I was younger, I would read some verses in the Bible and internalize it like this: Nancy, come on. This verse just says to not gossip and the other one says to help people. Just do that today. I saw it as a check list that I needed to complete - the most impossible check list ever! If I see the Christian life as a life of rules, it's over for me. First, that is a terrible way to live...boring...harsh. Plus, it is constant defeat because I know I won't get it right. It feels like it would be the life of misery. I don't want to do things because I'm told I have to. I don't think anyone does. But that is the huge component so many of us are missing when we read the Bible. We miss the love component. If Jesus is a boss....then we are just working every day. If Jesus is a dad, or a brother, or a friend...then doing things for Him is fun or worth it because there is love. What do you think?

This hits me on so many levels. I turtle - as my counselor says. I shut down, go quiet, disappear or stop going places. My friends know it. My husband knows it - drives him crazy. To actually talk about it??? My struggles???? My mistakes??? My fears or sadness??? No thank you. I'm trying to change that but my natural response is hide. The few times I've conquered, it feels so good. Liberating. Days or weeks or months aren't ruined, because I put it out there and someone helped me. In your deepest struggles, fears, mistakes... What's your natural reaction?

Is it manageable? How are you coping? Or do you not have much to worry about right now? The things I focus on as worries...not so sure they should be my focal point. But when it is all I see, what else am I supposed to look at?!? The other question here is, how is your entertainment life? Sounds like a weird question, I know. But what is your heart entertaining?

These people begged Jesus to leave. His way was too scary. Too unknown. Too wild. He had only just arrived. He'd barely gotten started. But they couldn't take it. Who knows what they missed out on? Are you tempted to ask God to leave? Are things or is he too scary? Unknown? Wild? Would you rather go the rest of the way without him? I think everybody feels that at some point right? This story puts it into a really good perspective.

I trusted in our income to stay steady and then COVID hit and Ted's business came to a complete stop. I trusted in Summer to keep me happy... then she grew up. My friend trusted his health since he was in his 40s. Then they found cancer when they were doing a different test. Everything is out of my control. Your control. Nothing is a guarantee and that is scary to me. Do you feel like you are drowning?

Do you feel content with how your life is? If you died today, are you satisfied with where/what you ended up with? I've struggled with this a lot because there are a lot of awesome things to do and get. And for most of my life, the Bible or God asked too much of me. Too much time, too much commitment, too many 'no's...just too much of what I didn't want. But life looks very different now than I ever thought I would but I think I'm more satisfied today than I was 5 years ago when I was heading in a completely different direction. Is this making sense?

Is God so repulsive? Why is he repulsive now but so many used to search high and low for him? What are we doing wrong? You know, I remember when I was 18, I was riding on a train with a friend. I was at a point where I was very frustrated with God and not sure I wanted to be a Christian. As we sat there, and empty pop bottle rolled under my feet. There was a sense of obligation that BECAUSE I was a Christian, I should pick it up and throw it out. In an outburst, I said to my friend, "This is stupid! I feel guilty for not picking it up because I feel like I should because I'm a Christian! But I don't want to do it out of guilt. That shouldn't be why I do it! I should do it because I LOVE God and that is how you love him! You take care of his world!" I've often struggled with feeling like the life of a Christian is a life of obligation, not a life of love. But maybe love goes out the window when I take Him for granted so much. In these verses today, it almost goes right over my head that He healed this woman. I've read about His healings so much, that it is just typical. But it blew this woman away and once she was healed and able, she got up and served him...not because He told her too, but because she was so so so thankful. She loved him for what He did. I think I take so much of my life for granted. So much of the goodness, because shouldn't life be that way anyway? Mostly good? That's a guarantee? But we forget that all of that goodness is always always always a gift. And maybe if we saw it that way, love would drive more of our actions, rather than seeing it as a list of obligations. What do you think?

You know, I remember when I was 18, I was riding on a train with a friend. I was at a point where I was very frustrated with God and not sure I wanted to be a Christian. As we sat there, and empty pop bottle rolled under my feet. There was a sense of obligation that BECAUSE I was a Christian, I should pick it up and throw it out. In an outburst, I said to my friend, "This is stupid! I feel guilty for not picking it up because I feel like I should because I'm a Christian! But I don't want to do it out of guilt. That shouldn't be why I do it! I should do it because I LOVE God and that is how you love him! You take care of his world!" I've often struggled with feeling like the life of a Christian is a life of obligation, not a life of love. But maybe love goes out the window when I take Him for granted so much. In these verses today, it almost goes right over my head that He healed this woman. I've read about His healings so much, that it is just typical. But it blew this woman away and once she was healed and able, she got up and served him...not because He told her too, but because she was so so so thankful. She loved him for what He did. I think I take so much of my life for granted. So much of the goodness, because shouldn't life be that way anyway? Mostly good? That's a guarantee? But we forget that all of that goodness is always always always a gift. And maybe if we saw it that way, love would drive more of our actions, rather than seeing it as a list of obligations. What do you think?

Morbid question, I know. But honestly, I know a lot of people know me as someone who loves to workout a lot, who loves to run a lot, loves Rafael Nadal, the Buffalo Bills...Hyper, loud, obnoxious, etc...... But what do I HOPE and WISH people would say about me? Do I care if I'm remembered as fit? As funny? As the center of attention? Does that make me proud? If I'm honest, it doesn't. What do those things matter? It's just hard to forget they don't matter. What would people say about you? The first 5 things to come to mind when they hear your name? Do you like those words? Are you proud of them?

Sometimes I'm not so sure. For some reason I think I'm a pain in his arse and he's not interested in my requests. My life isn't that hard so keep going while he helps people who really need something...people worthy of his time. When I want to pray, I feel like an incessant child poking while saying, "Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom." And at some point God will snap, shove me away and tell me to leave Him alone. Am I weird for that? The only one?

When someone says what they've been doing to combat a stress in their life, Dr. Phil always asks, "How's that working for you?" Dare I ask the same of me? Of you? How's your strategy working? I've walked through some bigger things - divorce, blended family, depression, etc. - and some daily things - my world record shortest temper and jaw-dropping impatience. I came up up with some strategies as a single mother because I was too tired to do any more. Well, those strategies aren't working for me. Big time. And now my kids are old enough to see it. This may seem unrelated but have you set up camp in your faith in God? Put some poles up and a flimsy tarp? Or are you digging down and pouring a permanent foundation? Putting up walls that are to last? What's is your architectural plan for you faith and how are you executing it?

I recently left my church of 37 years because after so much struggle, I just couldn't trust their leadership any more. I couldn't trust what they were telling me to believe, what they were saying the Bible said, and how I should live my life. Everything was contradictions but there was so much guilt when I left!!!! What was I doing? Was it the right move? Were they right????? I think so many people are struggling with this, especially the last few years when LGBTQ+ etc. have taken center stage.

Anyone feel the same way? And some of my requests seem pretty God-honoring, like saving my marriage!!!!! Or please heal so and so so that they will see it and have to believe in you and miracles. Why wouldn't God want to answer those??? What is wrong????????? Can I get an Amen???

I do. Sometimes I feel like He says one thing and two seconds later, a completely different thing. Today's verse is one of those contradictions:( Here's what I made of it! Where do you struggle?

Does anyone do this?!? I talk to myself as if I am the most terrible person in the world and I'm constantly weighed down by shame BUT BUT BUT I am so critical and judgy of everyone I meet and see. I quickly identify what is wrong with them or what they are doing as if I'm the master of being the best at everything. No one measures up to my standards ever. BUT BUT BUT neither do I!! I would HATE it if God judged me like I judge myself and others. BRUTAL. Would you like it if God judged you the way you judge yourself and others?

Wrapping up the talk on worrying...I don't think I've worried any less since we began but I guess practice makes possible yes? So today, just today, what is weighing heavy on your mind? What part about TOMORROW is weighing heavy TODAY? I'm going to write my down today and leave it out...then I will try to talk to God about them as often as I need in order to remind myself not to worry. Maybe that will help...

Well, that's a good question. I'd have a nose reduction! Botox to tighten up my aging face. I refuse to go without makeup because I'm way too insecure. And I think a LOT about what I wear. I'm always nervous what people think when they see me - I want to them to see me as pretty, classy...I want Ted to still think I'm beautiful or sexy or whatever...to not grow tired of me and need something new and fresh. I would do whatever it would take to eliminate my cellulite. Maybe some lip filler? I have really thin lips...almost non existent. Even workout gear, I want new and fresh and stuff that makes me look good if I'm out and about. I think about it way too often although, miraculously, less than I used to. What would you change? Would it be enough?

I once heard Ann Voskamp say that the reason that we worry is because we don't think God is enough for our situation - or something like that. That is so true for me. I feel like God needs a micro manager because he's busy or tired. And I'm a great micromanager. Ask my kids. And Ted. But that's a lot of pressure to take on ourselves - to take on the responsibility of guaranteeing we get through each day ok. And yet, as crazy as it sounds, every night I have trouble falling asleep or panic wakes me up and I can't shut my brain off. I DO think that if we believed that God loved us and truly only gives us exactly and all that we need, that we'd be more carefree. So I find it annoying that doubt creeps in...and obviously doubt creeps in because just 30 minutes ago I was worrying about money. So go ahead and listen but then do as I say...do as God says, and NOT as I do!!!

I like to buy new clothes so that Ted still thinks I'm pretty. I feel like a million bucks when I find something. But after I wear it once, it's old. So now I need something else. Same with workout clothes...I want to feel fresh and new so I buy a new set of gear, but after one workout, it isn't as exciting. It's now old. I do this with things for my house, vacations, etc. Always chasing something else to feel new and exciting. But it never lasts. Ever. Do you do the same thing? What is your weakness?

Again, I often want people to see my suffering, or my sacrifice...I want them to see me being "humble" LOL! Can we let that go and be satisfied in what God thinks of us?

I can get caught up in my emotions, my depression, my fears, my stresses, things I think I need to do that day...It can weigh heavy on me. A few months ago I started doing this one thing and, though my days are far from perfect, I find it has helped me remember what matters. I need to do it everyday but I don't. I rush my mornings. I could probably pause and do it a few times each day. But for me, it has been a huge help for me mentally.

Ted and I have tried to pray together but I feel so awkward and uncomfortable. I'm embarrassed to have him hear me. But I think I can feel the same when it is just God and me. A big, painful silence because I have no idea what to say to him.

I prefer an audience. I prefer people to see me being nice or kind so that it is money in the bank for when I do something wrong. I need to earn people liking me so I need them to see it. THAT is my struggle. I chase my worth like that...validation. Anyone else struggle with me????

I prefer an audience. I prefer people to see me being nice or kind so that it is money in the bank for when I do something wrong. I need to earn people liking me so I need them to see it. THAT is my struggle. I chase my worth like that...validation. Anyone else struggle with me????

Holy crap. And now I have to love my enemies? No promises. Yep, that's right. If this is who God is, I'm realizing very quickly that I don't measure up. Because I know how the story ends, I'm looking forward to get to the 'grace' component of Matthew but I'm getting really clear on the differences between myself and Jesus, FYI.

I get so sick of my kids complaining that I'm not being fair with them and their siblings. But it affects me so I'm always trying to fix it and make it fair. I can grumble about them, but I actually do the same thing. That's the cause of my anger and impatience...when I feel that I'm not getting what is fair. I don't want to be duped or taken advantage of. But what if I was able to let that go? To stop the fight for fair? For equal?

In reality, I don't have much to my name. But I sure act like I own the world. I don't really have much to lose because not much is mine. I'm going to lose it one day anyway. Isn't that downer???

My ex husband rampantly cheated on me. It is easy for me to read this and think of people like him. But when I REALLY read it, I'm guilty too. Jesus is saying that it isn't just a checklist anymore...it's a heart issue. And that makes me just as guilty. I could say he is a worse guilty and I'm a not-as-bad guilty. But in the end, guilty is guilty and guilty needs to be dealt with right?

This whole new perspective on the murder commandment is impossible. At least for me. I could give you a list of people I'm currently irritated with or holding a little grudge...or a big one. Let's be honest. I don't know that I can stop it. How about you? Do you feel the same? Is this a struggle for you, too?

I have skipped over these verses almost every time I come across them. First, I didn't really get them. Second, I didn't really think it mattered. I didn't think it was teaching anything I really needed to know. Not a crucial part of the Bible. But again, it shows me who God is. Again, these little tidbits that are so boring are actually screaming at me about who God is. It is nothing exceptional...just listen to it. BUT I learn that God is faithful. God doesn't change. He can be relied upon. That will be comforting at some point in our lives right?

These verses hit home as I thought about it. God didn't save us to be useless. He didn't save us from ourselves for ourselves... but I'm often ashamed to bring God up in conversation. I'm even hesitant to say (even tho it is true!!!!!), "So I prayed about it and..." God is in every part of my life. He really is now. So if someone asks me something, God's name should come up at some point some how. If it doesn't - because God wasn't in that part of my life - THAT'S what needs to be fixed right? Easy to say, hard to do.

I took forever in my personal quiet times to go through this passage, literally word by word. But I think I get it a little bit more. And you know? I think I get God a little more because of it. I even think in a puny, tiny tiny, wee way...I can kind of see why we suffer??? I don't know if this will help anyone but if you really want a quiet time with God but can't find the time, here you go! 5 minutes:)

First of all, can anyone tell me what "godane" means??? If not, listen to find out:) Second of all, the last part shocked me that people would punish other people for this kind of behavior. Third of all, God is asking us to be these things because they are what He does...thank goodness he doesn't struggle to be these things with us like I struggle to be them with others!

Are you lacking? Are you broken? Do you feel like God is hard to trust right now? It feels like you are letting others walk all over you, or that you aren't standing up for yourself sometimes because God is asking you to be humble. It feels like we are losing. I think what makes Christianity so hard is that you have to live the opposite way than most of the world is living...and trust that it is worth it. Not always easy. I guess the more I obey reveals how much I'm trusting God to come through in that moment.

It is so hard to admit we fell short and not give a whole explanation (excuse) as to why that is. I can't just admit that I want good enough for whatever I tried to do. We are this as failure. But everybody sucks at something right?!? So what is our problem? Why is it so hard to ask for help???

Generally speaking, the church is trying is best (obviously not all) but it just will never be good enough. There will always be flaws and downfalls. But those are people's flaws and downfalls, not God's. Poor representation sometimes.

Honestly...a brutal marriage, a loved one in jail, single motherhood, second marriage, step mom... none of this was my childhood dream...I would never have agreed to it I had been told where my road would go. But NOW I can see the good. How about you?