Beginner Tips On How To Have A Successful Bible Study Journey -

You may have searched everywhere for how to start a relationship with God and wonder where to begin with alone time with Him, or even where to start reading His Word. I am here to tell you something, sister, that will bring you relief. The moment God knitted you in your mother’s womb, He had already formed a relationship with you. He has chosen you long ago and loved and covered you under His wing all along. Why do you think you have suddenly been having these desires to know Him and change your life? Why do you think you have been having encounters lately and seeing signs and wonders about Him? It is not by coincidence, but by His Will for your life to draw near to Him. You are coming to an awakening in your life where your desires are bringing you closer to Him, and you want to pursue Him.

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
John 6:37-40

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s gracethat he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:4-14

But can I tell you something? If you don’t know where to start, what to say, or when to make this happen, all I can tell you now is to JUST START!

You cannot fail when you choose to start from where you are, with what you have. God has formed a relationship with you from the start, and though it has been rocky and on the back burner for so long, you can thank God for being the type of Father who is all forgiving and cleans your slate for a fresh start. Now, this is the only relationship in your life that is all-forgiving and can never fail you! So, whether you are just in your room, awake all hours of the night and restless, keep in mind that those hours are maybe the only quiet hours you have in your 24-hour span when you can listen and just randomly talk to Him.

Talk about what?

Anything! When you just begin to talk to Him, He will help guide your conversation to where it is meant to go in the end, and you will more likely feel some type of relief. He may even give you thoughts you would like to discuss with Him along the way, and may feel led to pray to Him. Or even better, over time, when you are talking to Him, whether in those hours or when you are doing chores, taking a drive, or even going on a walk, He will give you revelations that will suddenly start to make sense of everything you have ever wondered or experienced! I personally love those moments because they make you realize how He has always taken care of you and had His hand on you, guiding the way.

So yes, you start by talking. It can feel awkward, even for a faithful follower who has been through a tough season and may have kept their distance from Him. He doesn’t care; He just wants your time and attention to hear from you. He just wants your heart that will soon be a faithful heart that understands it needs a Savior. A Father! From that first conversation to the many that will follow, you will be surprised by how He responds to you and how He will just reveal Himself to you.

Now that I have given you insight into where to start, I want to share with you how to begin reading your Bible. I know there are going to be MANY people who suggest that you read from the New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). Then there are people who would suggest you read from beginning to end, but honestly, I think that no matter where you start, you first need to understand the truth of what you are reading and why. First, you need to know that the bible is a story about God redeeming His people overall, through a Savior named Jesus. I know there are many translations of His name, but we were just going to use the commonly known name, Jesus, here. The Bible is not centered on you or your thoughts and beliefs. It is not meant to be a Google book to nitpick scripture for your advantage, but it can be used to help guide you in knowing such wisdom and truth behind the people in it, which all leads to God’s glory. The bible is about God and His redemption through Jesus for the day of consummation that you will be apart of rather you giver your life to Him or not, (In that I mean, rather you decide to be baptized in His Spirit, repenting, and surrendering your life and claiming Him as your Lord and Savior by dying to yourself daily, choosing to live the life that He has called you to live!).

NEXT STEPS…

What’s the Next Step?

Now this is where you get to choose your level of introduction in studying the bible. Now MANY people would suggest that you pick out about five different bibles, two different dictionaries, commentaries, websites, and more which in my experience took my joy of diving into my Word and the journey of furthering my knowledge because of the stress in research of what is right and fearful of getting it wrong, that I would suggest to you to just keep this journey simple! Grab yourself a few simple items and just get started.

Beginner’s Tips & Needs Reading The Bible:

1. Pray

When you have gotten to a place where you feel comfortable talking to God and spending devotional time in prayer to Him about all of His goodness and the other important things in your life, then you should also apply that same prayer to your reading time, which will transform your life as well.

Before you begin reading your Bible, pray and talk to God, and welcome Him into your reading time, allowing Him to guide you in the Word to what He wants to reveal. Pray that you can receive such beautiful insight from such a beautiful source during y’all’s time together.

2. Have An Open Heart, Eyes, Ears, & Receiving Spirit

There are times when you might desire to read your Bible but choose to be entertained by TV, or you may decide that rest is more sufficient for your body than actually following through with the first desire to read, but sister, that is again why I suggest you pray before you read your Word.

Sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone of needless entertainment and ask God to bring such a desire towards reading your bible that it physically makes your body naturally gravitate towards opening your word, rather than it feeling like a chore that you have to do because you know it’s something you should do. {Like think of it this way: If you have a significant person in your life who you love dearly, and that person who supposedly says they love you and have a desire to pursue your heart and take care of you, yet when given the opportunity to pursue they then do things in a complaining manner where it makes you seem like a burden and that you would rather not even have them pursue you if it’s going to be done without love or even just simple generosity, yet they can find the energy to do for their co-workers, friends, family, and even strangers… Now, how would that make you feel? Like, wouldn’t you want someone who is eager to spend time with you and is actually engaged in what is being said or happening, bringing light, joy, and the spark you want to keep burning?

Now that is how we should approach our alone time with God, and that also includes the bible. We should pray that we can dive into our Word eagerly, being consumed in Him and His presence and revelation. That is why, when you pray, I encourage you to ask for ears that are open to hear His Word for what it is. To hear Him fully. I encourage you to ask for eyes that are open to see in the Spiritual realm and hearing to see as He sees. I also encourage you to pray for an open heart and a willing soul to receive His Spirit of truth and all that He has for you.

All this to say that in your reading time, you can’t go in ready to shut God down, unwilling to learn, or even halfway, not really applying yourself. Like that can be pointless. (But I will say that God is so good, loving, and powerful that if He wants to, He can still use that hardened heart and soften it in that moment), But I am saying this to say, be all in! Dive into this experience ready for the exposure of Truth and Life. The living bread, and that change of perspective of just wanting to be about Him and in His Word, will be a game changer in your reading experience.

The Parable of the Sower
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:1-23

(I suggest you read the full chapter, it’s worth it!)

3. Quiet Space

Although you can read the Bible anywhere, I can attest that creating a quiet, non-distracting atmosphere is more effective, providing focus and an experience where you can hear from God and receive all that He wants to reveal to you.

I know that in today’s times, we have become accustomed to hearing noise from the moment our eyes open to the moment they fall asleep, but with such a consumption of external noise and distractions, we can easily become alert to life rather than to the Holy Spirit, who is trying to speak to us. It’s almost like having selective hearing when you choose to tune out noises without even knowing. But this is not you, sister! You have decided to spend time with Jesus, and though it may be difficult to sit in silence, you know that the silence and peace are what is needed to really hear and focus only on God.

Now that is the best peaceful moment that you can receive in the presence of God!

4. Bible

Now we’ve finally gotten to one of the required items for your reading session: a Bible, of course! Now, whatever bible you decide to read from, remember that it is not just a book you read, but a soul-changing resource that will reveal so much life to you, so be sure you pick a bible you can understand. I personally love my NIV bible because the KJV-King James Version is another level of English (older, influential language translation) that takes me a while to understand, and is great for those who are familiar with old English and can interpret such wording, but if you are not on that level, then that is okay. NIV (New International Version), MSG (The Message: a contemporary paraphrase), ESV (English Standard Version), & NLT (New Living Translation) are all good Bibles that you can use to meet your level of understanding. It is important to keep in mind that there is no wrong choice in the Bible; you choose when it best fits your understanding. The main goal is to just get one, get comfortable with your Word, and start your journey, because in the end, the Holy Spirit will intercede in your prayer before you read and bring you clarity in what you read, no matter what.

Beginner’s Tips & Needs Studying The Bible:

1. All the First steps from above!

2. Supplies

I have always been the girl in school who LOVED taking notes! Studying has always been my favorite thing to do, and I think, honestly, it was because of the MANY school supplies I begged my parents to buy me. I mean, I needed the pretty color pins to coordinate my notes, highlighters to mark the important information that I have read, bookmarks, sticky tabs, pretty journals, and more! But honestly, Legally Blonde, Bridget Jones Diary, and many of the ’90s movies where highly motivated and “wise” women displayed those supplies did not help me, nor my parents, who had to buy them.

Now, as an adult who actually lives on a budget, I have reflected MANY times on how much money my parents had spent on my supplies, that I was not only grateful to them because I mean they had four girls and animals and a life to supply for the family, yet they included my “needed” supplies. Yet, when it came down to me on a budget, raising my family, I realized that I don’t need all these supplies in various pretty ways to have a deep experience in the Word of God; all I need are the basics. I mean, let’s be honest, the content of other sources will say you need xyz to have these deep moments with God in your studies, but in other countries where people are hiding underground and risking their lives for just a messenger who can bring in any source of the Word without having anything else, their experience alone testifies that nothing is needed to have a deep study and encounter with God. But for those who prefer to have supplies, here is a simple list of items I keep near my Bible.

Simple Supplies

Study Bible

Journal for notes

Pen & Highlighter

Bookmark

Bible Dictionary

3. Accountability

Praying to the Holy Spirit for help is where you need to start for direct and committed accountability. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you start this new era of your life and to remain faithful through the journey. (I promise, this works! Just read my testimony below that inspired me to share this with you.)

The Bible App Plans: The Bible App offers Bible plans you can join and set up on your phone to get daily reminders to keep going and finish them. There is also a community you can join to communicate with others who share your faith. What I also love about this app is that you can share Bible plans or any motivational plan you want to go through with your friends and family. In the plan itself, you will be able to read the content, the scriptures that align with it, and discuss with each other at the end of each reading. The plan will then mark that day off! To be honest, that is a fun and motivating process that will drive you to want to finish.

Community: I cannot emphasize this enough, but community is always needed when you are on this beautiful journey with God, our Father. When you have a supportive community in your walk with God, they will encourage you in the right direction. The moments that you feel discouraged or you start to feel as if your flesh wants to entertain the world rather than devote time to your Word, you will see that having such a support group who can pray for you, encourage you, and even join along the way to accomplish your goal of finishing what you have started, will reap rewards in the process and at the finish line.

During this journey of reading, having fellowship with believers who are living a lifestyle that reflects the Word of God is the people you can talk to when you feel like you are struggling to understand the passage you are reading. Some may be scholar theologians and might give you extra context that you may not have wanted, or maybe you do find interesting, but these brothers and sisters can give you insight into the passage that you are reading.

Please keep in mind that while community with fellow believers is good, maintaining boundaries with them is also necessary. Pastors, Preachers, Members of the church, and even believers elsewhere may have good intentions in helping you along the way, but you must not replace them with the Holy Spirit (meaning that you rely or run to them first in everything rather than allowing yourself to hear directly from the Spirit of God) These precious souls are people too, they are not God Himself. God may be trying to speak to you directly about something in the passage that He has not yet told them, so keep that in mind.

And if you have not read yet, Jesus also went away from people at times so that He could go and be with our Father and hear from Him directly!

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mark 1:35

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:16

4. Plan

I know I have said this many times before because it has been said to me many times as well, but you prioritize and plan for what really matters, and if reading your bible matters, then make time for it!

I love having those random sessions with our Father because it’s beautiful and intentional if the Holy Spirit has brought me unexpectedly to have such a moment in time with Him, but there are more moments in a day’s life where you would have to intentionally make out time to spend with our Father in your Word. You might have a career, family, and many more obligations that take up your time in a day, but without God and His goodness, all of what you have made time for would not be a thing if it weren’t for Him. Better yet, the time you put towards the many obligations cannot be fully enjoyed or see the fullness of life in you if you are not meditating in your Word daily, feeding your soul the first fruits it needs to carry on through the obligations that will have your attention all day.

Needless to say, plan a time to sit down in a quiet place and be fully devoted to God without distractions. It might take some self-discipline to commit to, but that time will be more valuable and edifying than any time you spend in your day.

5. Read the Context of the Book Before Reading the Chapter & Reflect on What You Have Read.

Most study bibles have an overview of the book that would answer most of the questions that you will read in a bit, but in every book that you read, it is always good to know what you are reading, so that you are not dazed and confused with less joy trying to figure out what it is that you are reading. So, take the time to research these questions that I have provided, and, whether on a sticky note or in your bible, jot down the answers so that you are reading that book with a new perspective.

Questions to Ponder:

When & where was the book written?

Who wrote the book?

Who was the audience that inspired the book to be written?

What was the purpose of the book that was written?

If there are parts of the passage that you are reading that are confusing to you, or if you want more insight into what you are reading, there is a website called Blue Letter Bible (Bible Search and Study Tools – Blue Letter Bible) that can help answer questions that you have. This website, as well as the Bible App, is a free tool that can give you many translations of the scripture you are reading, provide incredible context for what you are reading, and add commentary notes as well. So please be sure to use free resources that are available to you, and remember, NOTHING is freer and more credible than the source at hand, who is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can reveal anything you ask and seek! Do not get caught up in running to the media and articles and running off with the first thing you read or hear. Pray for discernment in what you read and decide to receive.

Ask, Seek, Knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-12

6. Reflect on What You Have Read

Some books in the bible may have shorter passages than other books, but during your process, be sure to reflect on the passage that you have read, taking notes as well. If you have nothing to write down, then sister, PLEASE DO NOT WORRY! Not everything you read would require you to take notes. I mean, you may not feel like anything sparked out at you, and that is okay. God is going to bless you with your Bible so that maybe the second, third, or even fifth time you come across the same passage, you will have a revelation. So do not feel pressured to write, but still try to reflect on what you have read as if you were in the writer’s shoes, hearing or witnessing those words.

At the end of each book, there is usually a good amount of blank space before you read the next book. I suggest you write a summary of what you have read and what the Holy Spirit revealed to you.

Questions to answer:

What did God reveal to you?

What did the passage reveal about God and His Character?

Did the passage reveal anything about your character?

Did you feel a tug on your heart to make a difference?

Was sin exposed that would motivate you to change? (If so, repent!)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
James 4:17

Now apply what has been revealed to you and share!

In the end, I want you to know that beginning your journey to wake up to a new life in His beautiful Word, the Bible, is not something you should feel intimidated about. This is the time to be excited because you have someone who has pursued your heart for some time and will meet you where you are, as you are, because it’s not about the fancy notes, the pretty styled leather bible that you chose to read from, nor the setup of what everyone says you need to start your journey. He just wants an open, vulnerable heart, ready to pour out and receive whatever desires you have. He has placed desires in your heart for such an intimate relationship that you long for.

I hope this serves you as it needs to, and may He continue to overflow in your journey!

Shalom.

He Met Me Where I Was Testimony

One night after a long day of taking care of my family’s needs while enduring pain physically and mentally, as well as trying to maintain my emotions from just a not-so-good day, I decided to try to go to sleep early that night, and yet found myself venting to God. I could not go to sleep with so much on my chest; I needed to release everything that I could no longer hold. I was tired of having to be the bigger person and remain almost like a robot of perfection, trying to be like Christ, and knowing that I was failing in every way and direction broke me that night. I could no longer handle it. I cried out to God, missing our morning sessions and random worship throughout the day. (I know 2-3 weeks of being off schedule and missing that time does not sound like a lot, but for me, it was the icing on the cake to the hectic life that my family had endured all summer and fall.) From a rocky marriage, 2 miscarriages and pregnancy again (all alone because my husband had been relocated and moved before us and was deployed a lot), to moving (packing and unpacking 3 times in just almost 2 months) dang near alone, to finally feeling like a failure of a mother because all of my babies were clearly affected by the changes and I did not know how to handle everyone including myself and our dogs who wanted to act out. IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH in a short period of time!

Though I was crying in my bed, alone in the darkness, to God, wondering how I could be so weak, faint in heart of faith and hope, I then asked Him to help me be a better person. I asked Him to help me become better than the me before. To have that fire enriched in my soul again because I was burnt out on life alone. I begged Him for help because physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, I could no longer do it alone. I needed His help. While pleading for my dear life, I fell asleep.

Thankfully, that was just the beginning! The following morning, I woke up at 5 am to my oldest crying at my door, informing me that he had had an accident. It was quite unusual for him to have an accident, but nonetheless, it happened, and I was awake, changing his clothes and sheets. I hugged, kissed, and talked to him to reassure him that mistakes happen, and he fell back asleep, leaving me awake now and believing in my heart that God used His beautiful baby boy to wake me up so I could have time with Him. I looked at my clock as I usually do to try to break down time blocks on what I could do, when suddenly the lights flickered and shut my clock off! I thought it was strange for that to happen, but I knew God wanted me to focus on Him, not the clock.

I then sat on my bed with books and my bible wondering where to even start reading. I have had a desire to start my 365-bible challenge since I finished the New Testament, but that morning, when I randomly opened the book, I physically said, “Lord, I don’t even know where to start!” I soon became aware of the book of Proverbs that He had placed before me. A book that I always start, but never finish, because after chapter 3, I just get steered somewhere else. But that morning, He brought me to Proverbs 22 & 23. Because of the way the passage began, I decided to read Proverbs 21-24, and let me tell you… That was ALL Holy Spirit and His direction for me to read, and cry, and pray, and repeat!

Everything that I cried out to our Father about the night before was ALL revealed in His Word that morning. He literally had our son wake me up to have time with me and respond to everything my heart was grieving. He spoke wisdom to me to stop rushing in everything I do because of it leading to poverty ( and that is far beyond financial, that is spiritual, of what all you can miss out on and lose in a fast-paced life, never allowing yourself to go slow and hear from God and see what He is doing, It also speaks on patient tolerance). Then He went on to speak about a quarreling wife, whom, for me, during those seasons, I had become time to time. There was much to say about raising up our children and discipling them, as well as the biggest phrase, “apply your heart…” To me, that was a highlighter because when my daddy was here on earth, he would ALWAYS say, “Apply yourself,” which, of course, was action, and it was something that has been engraved on my brain, and I have finally been able to read from my Heavenly Father that morning. The morning that marked 9 years since my daddy’s passing. I don’t believe in coincidences; I truly believe that it was all set up perfectly for me. I needed a Father, and He heard my cries. He answered my prayers with direct Word. Such powerful and enriching words that I cannot even fully explain because they were just so much shared in those passages alone. 4 Chapters of my life were answered. He didn’t just meet me halfway; it was as if He was determined to have such an encounter that could not be disturbed, even by my boys, who usually wake up around 6:30-7 am. He allowed them to rest so I could have what I needed. Though He pursued me every step of the way, I, as a daughter, had to apply myself by taking action to choose to receive what was unfolding before me. I had to choose to stay up and read and choose not to get distracted by anything around me. I had to choose to just be still in know God and what He was doing in those precious hours.

He heard His daughters cry and again He delivered. He showed up in a way I could not walk away from and ignore. He never leaves nor forsakes, but we both know that sometimes, when you are going through it, or you have become accustomed to tuning Him out, it can feel like He is not nearby. But, sister, that is not true! He is near the brokenhearted, and He is with you. He has always been there to meet me where I was. I just needed to have that heart cry out and really allow myself to see that, at some point, I was running on my own merits to the ground, and I needed to confess my wrongdoings and let Him know I acknowledge that I need Him.

Acknowledging that you cannot do it alone and that you really need help and guidance is the first step toward applying yourself to studying the Bible and having a relationship with God.

I PRAY that this testimony and post were helpful in any way, as it was for me through experience. I pray that you do not become discouraged, but that you are so deeply desired and eager to dive in that you are moved by that and His Spirit alone to keep continuing. I pray that He will direct your ways (Jeremiah 29:11) and that you truly receive what He has made known for you, His beautiful daughter. That I do pray, in Jesus name!

Scriptures

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
    apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Proverbs 22:17-21

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s gracethat he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:1-14

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Romans 8:26-30

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jerimiah 29:11

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

John 6:32-40