Probably the greatest tip for Bible study that anyone can give you. Keep a journal with your Bible. I keep two - a Dear Heavenly Father prayer journal and a Quiet Time Companion by Wholehearted. You can probably guess what I use them for, but I use the first one to journal my prayers and the second one to keep track of my reading plan, gratitude, studies, and scriptures I am memorizing. But whether you have a journal that was specifically created to help you study or a simple notebook does not really matter. Grab a journal and write your prayers, your thoughts, context notes, passages that stand out, verses to remember, Scriptures to memorize, questions & answers, quotes, definitions, and application. Here’s some reasons to keep a journal with your Bible:
Perhaps you struggle with the odd to do list item popping into your head or reminiscing about a conversation that could have gone better as you sit to focus on the Word. I know I do! Writing is a physical activity that requires your brain to focus on one thing at a time.
I have two journals that I keep with me when I study - one for my prayers and one for study notes. Journaling can provide a record to look back on where you were at one point and how far God has brought you! Try keeping a page in the front of your journal with key topics or prayers. We are told in Scripture to have a heart of gratitude. This list will come in handy as you look back on what God has done and what prayers God has answered.
Whether you gather with friends to study the Word, you are disciplining a younger believer, or you are evangelizing to a non-believer, having a reference is often vital!
Recently, I had a discussion with another believer. He had a notebook which was organized by topic with Scripture references that supported specific discussions. It was a great reference to answer questions and point us back to Scripture throughout the conversation!
A group of friends and I are doing a devotional on Romans. We study separately and then meet every few weeks to discuss what we learned, how God is working, and just chit chat about the gospel! I love having a notebook with me when I study by myself so that when we meet, I can remember what stood out to me, what definitions I looked up, what thoughts I had, etc.
I don't know how you memorize best, but writing always helps cement it in your brain. Try mapping Scriptures out by writing it out in the center of the page and surrounding the text with word studies, context, and comments! See below for an example and don't be afraid to get creative!
If you are like me, you think three miles ahead of your writing train. That is not always condusive to a good, comprehensive study of Scripture. The Bible tells us to "meditate* on His Word day and night" (Psalm 1). Take the time to sit with His Word and write it down. He promises blessing and fruitfulness for your labor.
*meditate: (v.) to think deeply and carefully about something; to consider
I am sure there are other benefits to adding a journal to your Bible study routine, but these are just a few of the ones I have top of mind. Here are some great options for journals for your to check out:
Saturday & Sunday morning are my favorite days, especially in the spring and summer. I get to enjoy my coffee and devotions with the warm morning sunshine. I’m telling you, it is so good for the soul!
Today, I spent a few hours meditating on the first few verses of Psalm 34. Verse 4 particularly seemed to jump off the page: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
I think of all the foolish things my heart is tempted to delight in… Many delight in treasures, status, careers, possessions, and relationships, but in these, there is never lasting satisfaction. Many seek a perfect person to satisfy their life. Many are seeking a life of perfection (or close to perfection) and believe that at that point, they will truly be happy and fulfilled. But a person and a life will never been able to fully and completely satisfy.
Look at the Bible and church history… Over and over, we see that the most joy-filled and content Christians, often found great joy - not in ordinary life because that was not their lot in life - but rather in a life filled with sacrifice, servitude, and persecution. Think of Paul & Silas in prison, singing praises to the Lord. Think of Cory Ten Boom who found reasons to thank the Lord in a rat filled prison. Think of the Sabina Wurmbrand who joyfully forgave the man who murdered her family for following Christ. It was not in the quality of their life or the person with whom they spent their life that gave them a life full of joy and contentment. How is that joy and contentment in a life like that found?
“It includes a deliberate redirection of one’s emotions… [ such as ] Paul and Silas in prison, singing as well as praying.” Kidner
Oh what discipline!
Finding great pleasure and ultimate fulfillment in the Lord is the result of a constant seeking His face. After all, who better to help mold our hearts than the One who gave us a new one in Christ!
“The reason many apparent Christians do not delight in God is that they do not know him very well, and the reason they do not know him very well is that they do not spend time with him.” Boice
It is in this place where our desires align with His, and the very God who is above all yet delights in the sons of men (Proverbs 8:31) fulfills the desires of our hearts. This is the very key to a successful life! No, I do not mean the worlds definition of success but rather that, “Godliness with contentment is great gain!”
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On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, Kasey's Corner Shop is officially transitioning to Common Grace Print Shop. While this is bittersweet, I have full confidence that you will love the new branding, renewed vision, and re-energized passion just as much as you have loved Kasey's Corner Shop.
Not a lot is changing though, so don't worry! We will still be here - the same humans behind the business, and we will bring you the same passion for Jesus that shows through in our content and products (by the Lord's strength, that is)! Plus our products aren't changing drastically. Read on to find out what is changing and what this new, revamped business is all about...
First and foremost on everyone's mind when they see the new branding is the name change. This has to be the hardest thing for a business to change because you risk ruining a brand reputation by losing a bit of recognition that was built up with that old brand name. But we thought it was right to take the risk for a few reasons...
1. I wanted to change the name to remove the focus from "Kasey."
2. We niched down and focused our brand.
To understand, you need the history...
Kasey's Corner Shop was a name born from a high school speech project. It fit the business when I started in 2019. I was selling a hodge podge of products as I tested out what I really wanted to do and had a passion for. Kasey's Corner Shop was vague enough to fit anything I did while not very out of the box. The first sale I had was to my best friend, and it was handmade earrings! Many of you probably didn't even know I used to sell earrings. It didn't last long as I found that I did not like to make jewelry. So, I switched it up! I started dabbling in epoxy. At first I created coasters and odds and ends. When people liked the coasters that Christmas season, I decided to ask my little brother build me cup spinners and created designs on stainless steel cups and sealed them in epoxy. I did this for awhile, and cups were popular. Then, I started having allergic reactions to the epoxy, so we faded those out. At the beginning of 2020, I bought a Cricut machine and created my first stickers. It blew me away how popular those two little safari animal stickers were on Etsy! In fact, we still sell them today in a higher quality vinyl. Since then we have branched out into shirts, stationery, and other items. As we grew, we upgraded machines and added some new ones! Through the years, I figured out what I was passionate about making and sharing. I found success in certain items and felt the Lord's hand directing away from others.
With much prayer and waiting on the Lord, I felt directed to change the name of the business to reflect the passions He put on my heart and the direction I feel Him leading me. With a passion for studying the Word of God and encouraging others to do the same, I am so excited to share more illustrated apparel, stationery, and home goods (like glasses and mugs!) that point people to the Lord and to His Word. I am excited to continue sharing Biblical resources and content and to create products that help you study the Word. II Timothy 2:15 has been written on my heart and I hope and pray this shop encourages Christians to be men and women of the Word and not of the world.
The Lord was working in my business from the very beginning and in my heart throughout this entire journey. In fact, my personal testimony is woven deeply into this little business of mine. As the Lord changed my heart and my passions, it deeply changed what products I design for this business and the why we are in business. I do not want this business to be about me - I want it all to glorify the Lord and point to Him. If a stranger simply sees the name "Common Grace Print Shop," I want them to wonder about this common grace and what it means. That Google search or conversation will point them to Jesus and that is enough.
At Common Grace Print Shop, we are in pursuit of the Word of God. God's Word is our guide as Christians but is something many of us struggle to keep ourselves immersed in. II Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself APPROVED UNTO GOD, a workman that needeth NOT TO BE ASHAMED." We cannot afford to not be diving daily into the Word and that is something we are passionate about. We exist to inspire our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to grow in the knowledge and study of Scripture and spend more time in our prayer closets for this is how we win our battles on this side of glory.
Mission Statement: Inspiring a love for the Word through illustrated stationery, apparel, and home goods.
Common Grace Print Shop is still creating similar products that we did under the name Kasey's Corner Shop. You will still find stationery goods, apparel, stickers, and drinkware on our website, at events, and on wholesale sites. We are super excited to add more items, and we are retiring older designs.
Our products are...
* Stationery (prayer journals, notebooks, stickers, study materials), Christian apparel, home goods (glasses, mugs, wall art), and more! All with the focus on Jesus.
* Made in the USA.
* Made in house where possible.
* Designed by Kasey :)
* Created prayerfully to inspire your love for the Word of God.
* Made to encourage you to study God's Word, fight your battles on your knees, and grow in your relationship with the Lord.
]]>The cat is out of the bag! We are rebranding! Big things are coming, but here are the footnotes...
1. We will be changing our name!
While we will not be revealing the name just yet, this rebrand will include changing our business name from Kasey's Corner Shop. The main reason for this is the shift of focus in the company. We are niching down and realigning goals in this rebrand. It started with changing the name from a generic name that focused on me, the artist, to a name that points people to the Lord and tells a story of what we do and why we do it.
2. New branding, but not so new...
*Wink wink* We have been transitioning to new brand colors for a month or so now! You have already seen sneak peeks of branding and things such as color schemes, styles, fonts, and icons if you follow us on Instagram! This will mean new product packaging, a solidified tagline, and all the goodies that I had so much fun designing and creating. Your new orders will be so cute!
3. A new website is on it's way!
Of course, a rebrand this drastic requires a website revamp! We will have a new domain name, but are keeping the old "kaseyscornershop.com" so that searches will be redirected to the right place! Can't remember the name a week after launch? No problem. Just search for "kaseyscornershop," and it will pop up! I cannot wait to show off the new features and design. I have been working hard on it for y'all...
4. New Instagram handle too.
I am crossing my fingers that the transition on Instagram/Facebook to the new business name will be seamless... I have already reserved the name on Instagram, and I think I will hold on to the other name (if possible) to redirect folks if needed. You won't have to worry about following a new account as I plan to just switch the name when the time comes ;)
5. Products, products, products, and maybe a few services...
Now to the most important question: How will this change what you sell and what you do as a business? It won't! Well not really. We will still carry apparel, drink ware, stickers, and stationery so don't worry! The old designs may be phased out as we offer new products and new designs to better fit our mission and encourage you in your walk of faith!
Here are a few of the products that we will be fading out. If you would like one, grab one before they go out of stock...
]]>I speak up on this platform and encourage believers to turn to Jesus and grow in Him, but I still sin. I don't want anyone to think that I have it all together. I am a train wreck sometimes and always in need of Him and less of me and my flesh. I think recently I forgot how easy it was to fall, and when I fell, the Devil started beating me up with the feeling of unworthiness to be His daughter and to be His mouthpiece on earth. I had the preconceived notion that He saved me and now I was "beyond sin." I didn't really think that I would be perfect because I was human, but I guess I thought that the sins called out in the Bible over and over would never apply to me again. I was beyond that. Or so I thought. I didn't even realize I had that in my head until the Lord let me stumble to show me how much I need Him.
"And He said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I was at a concert not very long ago, and the musician said a few things that struck my heart in my pool of self-loathing and unworthiness. He said that just because we are saved doesn't mean we are perfect. I can't remember his exact words, but he said something along these lines: "I've done some dumber things since I've been saved. But when you love Jesus, your head gets smaller because now you realize how unworthy you are because of your sin and weakness." Well, I guess, that is what I needed to hear. I was wallowing in "How will He ever love me?"s and "How could I even talk about serving Jesus when I let Him down again?"s. I couldn't bring myself to talk about Him through my business even though He has been blessing and carrying me through. I know I am forgiven, and I know that without Him, I will stumble again. And sometimes, He will let me stumble so that I can see how much I need Him and how much I cannot do it by my own strength. Never in my life have I felt so unworthy of His great love and so grateful that I can "come boldly unto the throne of grace that [I] may obtain mercy and find grace" (Hebrews 4:16).
So, all of this is to say two things:
(1) I am not perfect and I really hope that I do not convey that throughout this business and these platforms. I am a sinner - chief among them. I am in constant need of grace and prayers and sanctification. I need forgiveness just like everyone. I struggle with things just like the rest of the population. The messages that I put forth on my social medias and on my products are messages that convict me, that I personally need, and that the Lord put on my heart.
(2) He doesn't throw us away when we fall. When the Lord saves you, He doesn't promise that you will never fall. You and I will and can never be worthy of our salvation. It is only because He already paid the price that we can come before His presence. Sometimes I struggle with shame, and the Devil gets me down mentally in what I've done and how much I've fallen short in my life of His grace. But He died so I could be set free from my sin and my shame. He did that for you too.
Praying Scripture is to use specific passages of Scripture in prayer rather than solely relying on our own thoughts and ideas to form our prayers to the Holy God. Now, this does not mean that every word in our prayer be directly from Scripture nor does it mean that prayers that do not use Scripture directly are lesser prayers. Of course, we can pray the Lord's Prayer or the 23rd Psalm or any other passage verbatim because the Lord's Word is profitable and valid and true. However, we can also pray prayers straight from the heart, and the Lord hears just the same.
It is important to remember that in the book of Romans, the Bible tells us that we do not know how to pray, and we need the Spirit to help us. We know that we fail at prayer because our ways and thoughts are not God's. Thank Him daily that He hears us despite our failings and lack of knowledge, and He provides Jesus to intercede at the Throne and the Spirit to guide and help us.
I find that using Scripture in my prayers helps guide my thoughts and align my desires with His Word. For example, I daily pray Matthew 5:6 ("Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.") over myself, my brothers, and my friends. What does this look like? Well, often the prayer looks something like this:
Dear Holy, Heavenly Father, I come upon your precious throne of grace bringing the Blood of Jesus which is the only way that I can approach your throne. I pray that you would renew my heart and give a pure, holy passion - a hunger and thirst - for your righteousness. Let my soul not be satisfied with mere crumbs of Your Word and will, but let me yearn to be filled daily with Your Spirit and to always desire to walk in Your way. You promised, Lord, that You will fill me and bless me spiritually as I wholly seek You with a pure heart, and I pray, Lord, that You will fill me to overflowing with joy unspeakable in serving You. Please grow my desire to walk with You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
As I pray this prayer, I am reminded that He desires for me to wholly seek Him, and He promises a spiritual filling and blessing if I hunger and thirst after righteousness. By turning my eyes to His Word, I can see what I should be praying for.
The first step is to understand the Scripture.
Using Scripture to pray helps us worship in Spirit and in Truth because we know that the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is therefore true and wholesome. However, it is vital that we study and meditate on the passage in order to know what it truly means so that we are not twisting the Scripture and taking it out of context in our prayers.
For example, a well-known Scripture is Philippians 4:13 which states, "For I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." This passage is often taken out of context and applied to anything in life. I hear people say that it gives permission and liberty to doing virtually anything or accomplishing any desire when sometimes it isn't the Lord's will that we can literally "do anything." A careful look at the context of this passage shows that Paul is talking about contentment when he says that the Lord strengthens him in any situation that the Lord places him in. Therefore, when praying this Scripture, we are careful not to misinterpret it and use it to justify our selfish desires and wants.
Praying Scripture-filled prayers can apply in any type of prayer. For example, Psalm 91 is a great psalm that applies to protection. My mom often prayed this psalm in our morning devotions before we all embarked on our days journeys. The Scripture is profitable for prayer in all areas - thanksgiving, repentance, faithfulness, freedom from addiction, government, friends, mourning, etc.
Often, when I pray Scripture, I have meditated on a passage that the Lord set in front of me and seek to apply it in life. For example, a passage about peace may turn into a prayer for that peace. I claim the passage as true and thank Him for it and then pray that He bless me with His peace as He promised.
Whether you are praying over a passage that you are reading or praying a morning prayer to the Lord over your day, using Scripture in prayer is a great way to turn your focus on His way, what He says is true, and His living Word. We know that our thoughts are not His thoughts and we know that we do not know how to pray. His Word is a valuable resource that should be used in our prayers for it is true, right, and holy.
See more of this thread on Instagram. Join the conversation by commenting on this post here on the blog or over on Instagram. I would love to hear your opinion or get your feedback on this topic.
]]>Although it is important to take a passage of Scripture and study line by line, verse by verse, and word by word, it is also vital that we do not miss the big picture of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, a divine Story is intricately woven.
Sometimes we need to step back and read the Story as a book. Start at the beginning and trace development of the Gospel from the creation to the fall of man to Israel's wandering to the prophets to Jesus to the apostles to the foretelling of the Second Coming. It all revolves around the Gospel, and it is important to see how the whole story comes together and points to Jesus.
I recommend that Christians take the time (and dedication) to sit down and try to read through the whole Bible once in awhile. I mean, honestly, it cannot be done in a day! But surely with a little extra time and perseverance, we can get through it in 90 days...
I put together a little plan for reading the Bible in 90 days for me to do and decided to share it with you all as well! Let me know in the comments if you use it (just click and save the picture to your camera roll or your Pinterest to use - you can even print it from your phone!) and then come back and comment when you finish! That way we can see how long it *actually* takes us... haha
Remember to give yourself grace, but try to build a habit of spending extra time in the Word. I promise, you will only reap blessings from it.
A great pairing for this study would be our digital download tracker called the "Books of the Bible Tracker." This tracker can be printed out or used on your iPad to track your progress as you read through the Bible! Click here to shop.
How to download it....
1. Right click (on your phone you need to press and hold) the above image to bring up a menu.
* I have a Macbook, and I have to control click. *
2. Choose "Add to Photos" or "Save Image." (dependent on device)
3. You could also pin the photo to your Pinterest board for reference!
]]>"We sin so easily with our tongue in this respect, don't we?! In saying things that are injurious to the good name of others." Alistair Begg
One topic that has been on my heart for awhile now and that is very convicting to me as a Christian is the topic of communication, in particular gossip. I have found that it is so much easier and so tempting to to spew unnecessary and unedifying information to nearly whoever will listen than it is to sing praises and speak in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). But if I'm 100% honest, the question - "What does the Bible actually say about gossip?" - crossed my mind multiple times. I know I'm not alone in this, because when I looked up the dictionary definition of gossip in a group of friends, we all were a little shocked at how broad the definition was and how much of our own conversations fell into the very trap that we had brushed off as non-gossip.
The dictionary definition of gossip is "casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true; or a person who likes talking about other people's private lives."
The Bible calls gossip by many other names besides strictly "gossip" in our English language. Gossip can be linked under words such as "corrupt communication," "talebearer," "busy bodies," one who "meddles," etc. Proverbs especially has a lot to say about those who engage in gossip, and all of it shows how destructive the practice is and definitely something Christians should flee from!
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 20:19 KJV
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 11:12-13 KJV
Verse 12 really hits the nail on the head. When we engage in gossip and corrupt communication against another (speaking evil as Titus 3:2 calls it), our hearts are set against them. Whether would we actually say if someone asked us that we "despise" that person, we are setting our hearts against them in a condemning or judgmental manner.
Alistair Begg in his sermon series "Measure for Measure" instructed his congregation to ask the following questions before they open their mouths to speak: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it edifying?
I have started asking myself these questions when I am about to speak, and let me tell you - you will say a lot less and be a whole lot more content with sitting quiet.
I pray daily that the Lord would renew my heart and let the communication that proceeds out of my mouth to be good and fruitful and edifying to the hearer. One verse that I often pray and is really the example I strive to follow is Ephesians 4:29.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Good communication is one that edifies or uplifts. It is merciful and full of grace. Paul talks about our communication being in songs, hymns, and spiritual songs that encourage other believers rather than put them down (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).
Jesus teaches that our communication should not be condemning nor judgmental but forgiving and from a pure heart (Luke 6:37).
I'll leave you with one final passage of Scripture that really convicted me, and I hope and pray that it touches your heart as well. I highlighted categories or groups that our conversation (the words we speak) can place us in (although I pray it doesn't!). Where will your conversation place you? I hope that instead of falling into these categories below we all can be found in the camp that is described as having edifying conversations that minister grace to those who hear our words.
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1:29-32 KJV
I pray daily for a revival in me and in my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - let's start with a renewal of our conversation. I hope you pray for me as I pray for you that we all may grow closer to Jesus day by day, redeeming the time for the day is evil.
With love and prayers,
Kasey
I highly recommend listening to the sermon series by Alistair Begg called "Measure for Measure." Spotify has all three sermons on the podcast titled Truth for Life Daily Program which is Alistair's podcast. It can also be found with transcripts (if you wanted to read it) on his website truthforlife.org. I've attached the links below for you.
Measure for Measure (Part 1 of 3)
]]>"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
I Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
Did you know that studies show that when a man looks at an immodestly-dressed woman, his brain waves light up as if he was looking at a tool or an inanimate object at his disposal? And when he looks at a modestly-dressed woman, his brain actually recognizes her as an individual, and his brain reacts with her with kindness and respect rather than as an object for one's use? (Don't believe me? Watch this!)
There is scientific evidence that the way you dress has an affect on the opposite sex's brain, and the world has taken advantage of this natural tendency to evil. The feminist movement pushes less clothes and tells you that it makes you powerful. Books, movies, and social media tells you that you look sexy and that is the goal. But my experience and my Bible tells me that none of this will fill that gap in your heart that yearns for more. That is something that can only be filled with the outpouring of the Father's love that comes from pursuing Him with your whole heart.
That attention you are trying to gain is not going to make you feel seen like you want. That "trendy" outfit that reveals more than it should is not going to make you fit in with the right crowd. That revealing swimsuit is not going to get you the man of your dreams - or at least the man you want in the long run. It just won't because it isn't in alignment with the perfect plan - the one God has for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Modesty is not about outward conformity to a legalistic rule, but rather about inward conformity to God's Word and a posture of the heart in response to a dedication to His Will.
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31 KJV
I recently saw some catechism set for young kids that went something like this...
Question 1: Who created you and all things?
Answer: God did.
Question 2: Why did He create you and all things?
Answer: For His honor and glory.
If I am created for God's glory, then it goes without saying that my life should be showing Him glory, right?
My dad walked me through this brain exercise once, and it really applies here, so I'd like you to do it with me. The idea is to ask why at least 5 times to anything you want to do.
For example, you want to wear that bikini, right? Well, why? Your answer is probably, "Well I look good in it." Well, why do you want to look good in it? Your answer is probably something like, "I will get compliments on how good I look in it" or maybe "I will attract someone's attention." Well, why do you want compliments or why do you want that person's attention? If you are being honest, the answer is probably "I like the attention and take pride in how good I look" or "I get a good feeling when guys lust over me" or "I want someone to want me." Do you see how this will get to the root of the issue? Now it is not about wearing that piece of clothing, but rather the issue in your heart - it's a pride issue or a lust issue or any other form of sinful heart postures. God tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things and therefore, do not be surprised when you get to an ugly issue at the root of something you always thought had no malicious intent.
Been there. Done that. Lord had mercy.
Now let's look at the Word and what God says about modesty. Note that modesty is more than just what you wear but how you carry yourself, how you act, AND how you appear.
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
Proverbs 31:30 KJV
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;"
I Peter 3:3-4 KJV
"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion."
Proverbs 11:32 KJV
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
I Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;"
I Timothy 2:9 KJV
About a year ago, I would have argued that the outfits I was going out in were perfectly modest and okay. Today, I would squirm to walk out of the house in such revealing apparel. The Lord has been working on my heart and what I find acceptable and pleasing to Him. So what I am saying is that as you seek the Lord with your whole heart, you will find Him. Ask Him to reveal to you what His will and way is. But remember to get out of your own way. Remember to ask Him to change your heart posture, and lay down your biases and your disposition to be right. We are sheep that have gone astray, He says. We need His illuminating power, and we need to submit to His Spirit's working in our heart.
I truly find joy and happiness in dressing modestly today. The Lord has really been working on my heart in this matter, and every day I pray that He would renew me with a desire for righteousness as Jesus blessed in the Sermon on the Mount. I feel a sense of purpose and contentment as I step into the feminine role God created for women, and He fills me and sustains me. As I continue to dig deep into His Word and learn more every day, I know He is crafting me for His eternal kingdom.
If I had to sum up why Christian women should dress modestly (other than the explicit command in Scripture), it would be (1) to honor and glorify God in all I do and (2) to not be a stumblingblock unto a godly man.
The Word tells us that we are to do all for His honor and glory. But what does that look like practically? Well, that is to say that we strive to follow His commands that He laid out in His Word for living as a Biblical woman. According to His Words and not mine, a Biblical woman is modest, submissive, humble, meek, and loving. She is not the center of attention, nor a distraction to godly men. Her goal is not to be outwardly flashy but inwardly pure and holy as He is holy.
The question then becomes, "How can I best glorify God?" instead of "How much can I get away with before it becomes sinful?"
Recently, a friend on Instagram posted a question box on her story. She asked for opinions on women dressing modestly. One particular answer struck me. It was from a gentleman and he thanked women who dress modestly for dressing modestly. He said that, as a man who struggles with lust, a woman who dresses modestly is such a relief because she does not make the battle with sin harder but instead encourages him with her godly example.
What will we have to say to the Lord when He calls us to account for EVERY DEED we did on earth? What would he say to your wardrobe and my wardrobe? Will he look at our hearts and tell us that they were never truly renewed and made holy? Are they still desperately wicked? Or are we doing our part to bring His kingdom in by being the light in the darkened world?
A resource that I found oh so helpful in my devotions and working through this topic in my own life was a book called "Christian Modesty: the Public Undressing of America" by Jeff Pollard. I got it on Amazon and here is the link. It is a short read that is very helpful and well-written. If you have questions or interest in this topic, I would encourage you to read it! The author is much more eloquent of speech and clear in discussion than I am. I am sure you will be blessed by it.
I also recommend listening to an episode on the Harvest Work podcast called "Modesty and the Hunger for Holiness." This episode really pushed me deeper into my conviction for modesty, and I love the view shown here.
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Ruth is a story of redemption.
First of all, what does it mean to be redeemed? The dictionary defines redeem as a verb meaning "to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something or someone; to gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment."
I Corinthians 6:20 ~
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
In the Old Testament, God set up something called a goel. A goel is a Hebrew noun that is translated to "kinsman."
Ruth 2:1 ~
"And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."
Goel literally means "redeemer or reclaimant." It was a relative who, according to ancient Hebrew custom, had the responsibility to avenge, redeem, or act in some way to save his kin that fell on hard times. It was his duty to avenge a murdered relative's blood or take care of a relative who fell into debt. In the same way, the Bible instructed the kinsman redeemer to "raise up the name of the dead" by taking his kin's widow to wife.
When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem after being left without husbands and children in the land of Moab, they were penniless. Ruth could have stayed in Moab and lived with her family, but she chose to follow her mother-in-law. In the famous verse in Chapter 1 of Ruth, the woman told Naomi,
"Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou longest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God: where thou Diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
Ruth chose to cleave to her mother-in-law and be faithful to God and her. We can see that God was faithful to the women as they chose to trust Him to take care of their needs.
So, the women returned to Israel with nothing. In Chapter 2, Ruth follows her mother-in-law's command to go to the fields of Boaz and glean the grain that fell to the wayside for poor and beggars. It was here Boaz first sees Ruth and asks about her. We can see that even though she is a pagan stranger, the people of Israel saw her actions as that of a righteous woman. What a compliment it had to have been for Ruth to hear the words of Boaz...
Ruth 2:11-12 ~
"It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou has left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou newest not heretofore.
The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."
Similarly, Jesus's blood covers a multitude of sins so that God no longer judges us by our past, but rather looks at life after conversion. When we give our lives over to Him, we can enjoy that washing and that regeneration. Like Ruth, we then need to live life regenerated. And when we falter and fall, we know we can come back to Him because He forgives and restores!
Ruth humbly and boldly approached Boaz one night and asked for her right of being redeemed. Hebrews 4:16 tells us,
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
This is how Ruth approached Boaz and he responded to her with my favorite words of the entire book. In Chapter 3:11, Boaz tell her,
"Now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requires: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman."
What a wonderful concept! What a right that we too have! To boldly come before the throne of grace and be redeemed from our sins, from our trespasses! The story of Ruth is a beautiful story of redemption. We too are outcasts, sinners, unworthy. But we are redeemed through the Blood of Jesus.
Join the conversation on Instagram.
In Chapter 4, we are introduced to a "nearer kinsman" who had the right before Boaz to redeem Ruth and Naomi. This kinsman, however, did not want to marry Ruth because he would "mar" his inheritance. He would have gladly redeem the land of Naomi's, but he would not marry Ruth.
What is interesting is that neither Orpah nor the nearer kinsman in Chapter 4 are ever mentioned again. The nearer kinsman was not willing to pay the full price for Ruth's redemption. Orpah was not willing to leave her old life for Naomi.
I love the book of Ruth for two reasons: (1) It is a picture of my redemption (and yours too if you accept the gift!) and (2) Ruth lives out an example of the biblical woman I strive to be.
We already discussed how the story of Ruth and Boaz is not just a love story but a picture of Jesus redeeming the sins of his people completely and entirely by sacrificing His life. But as I study what it means to be a biblical woman, I see an example in Ruth.
Several characteristics stand out to me that I can apply to my own life:
At the same time, I see characteristics of my Lord and Savior that I would do well to remember.
Sharing is caring. Spread some practical applications for this passage by sharing this infographic with friends. Study Ruth together!
I talked about this topic over on Instagram! Check out the short video here. Follow along on Instagram for more, and always feel free to chat about what you learned, how you were inspired, and what you want to hear about next!
Looking for a deeper read? I encourage you to check out The Daily Grace Co's devotional called "Ruth: Fields of Grace." This is the study I mentioned in the video above. I went through this study with my dearest friend, and we both learned a lot about the love and faithfulness of God. It was a huge inspiration to my life, and I know you will walk away with a refreshed view of the Gospel. I encourage you to check it out.
Ruth Bible Study by Daily Grace Co.
Disclosure: I may make a small commission off the sale of any items you purchase through this link - at no additional cost to you. However, I never recommend items or brands that I personally do not love and use.
Dear beloved,
I hope that this encouraged you as it did me. I pray that the Lord use this to uplift and encourage someone - maybe it is you or maybe you know someone who needs to be reminded that God has redeemed them and won the war once and for all. Never forget that you were bought with a price! May this be a message that inspires you to live life as a godly woman under the hand of God. Be faithful in the little things and boldly claim that Blood on your life. He promises, and He will be faithful - always has and always will. He is our Redeemer - through Him we have life and life abundant. Praise Jesus!
With all my love and prayers,
Kasey
]]>Many question where to draw lines that they will not cross. Others are full of anger at people they once loved despite their differing views. Christians are persecuted worldwide and persecutions are getting more and more frequent. Churches are closing or telling certain people they are not allowed to attend. People are fleeing countries because they are being turned away at grocery stores, church, and so much more. I would definitely say that for the Christian and nonChristian alike, these are uncertain times.
As I was sitting down, deliberating on what people - what I - need to hear most nowadays, I thought about the passage in Habakkuk 3. Now Habakkuk is a little book in the Old Testament that is of great encouragement, especially when you have questions about why there is so much evil in the world and when you need some encouragement in that realm. I encourage you to read and study the whole book (its only 3 chapters), but I am going to read from Habakkuk 3:17-19 which is the conclusion of the prophet's words.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places..."
The prophet Habakkuk found an answer to the troubles and evil that surrounded him. He found a why to his questions to God in the first chapter of the book - "O Lord how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!" (Habakkuk 1:2)
Just as Habakkuk chose to seek God, cling to His promises, and praise the Lord in the midst of difficulty, so should we. I put together a list of verses that we can all cling to in the midst of uncertainty. I pray that they encourage you and inspire you in your walk of life, no matter the difficulty. I stand with you in prayer as you go through whatever trial and test may be thrown your way. Although we do not know what tomorrow holds, our God of miracles does.
I encourage you to study these verses, write them down, claim them, pray over them, and memorize them that you would have encouragement when you most need it.
1. Habakkuk 3:17-19
2. Isaiah 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold these with the right hand of my righteousness."
3. Hebrews 13:6
"So that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.'"
4. Matthew 10:28-30
"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
5. 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
"And he said, 'Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, 'Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's.
Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you."
6. Matthew 11: 28-30
My mom had my brothers and I memorize this passage when I was younger and, I can't tell you how many times I pray this verse in times of trouble and anxiety.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
7. Philippians 4: 6-7
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
8. Psalm 121: 1-8
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
9. Romans 8:28
This verse in particular reminds me that my good is different than God's good, but everything that happens will be for His good and for His purpose. I choose to trust Him.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and to them who are the called according to His purpose."
10. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ bond in us, so our consolations also aboundeth by Christ.
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings so shall ye be also of the consolation."
I do not know if you are suffering now, in a trial, or facing uncertainties, but I do know that we all will at some point or another. Christ told us that we need not be surprised when we face persecutions because they persecuted Him and if we are true followers of Christ, they will persecute us. But do not fear for our God is so much greater than anything this world can throw at us.
I hope that this is an encouragement to you. Simply writing this has encouraged me beyond measure.
With love and prayers always,
Kasey
]]>In particular, this blog post focuses on Kasey's Corner Shop clothing because I really cannot speak on behalf of other clothing companies. Our clothing is illustrated, designed, and made with specific qualities in mind - specific characteristics that they must possess in order to live up to our ideals.
1. Faith-based apparel is encouraging. Christian graphics and quotes and Bible verses are an inspiration and encouragement to me, and I'm sure it they are to you as well! The Bible tells us many times to do things that are edifying and uplifting. Edifying means to "instruct, especially so as to encourage intellectual and spiritual improvement." Every time I design a new graphic/design for a new piece of clothing, I try to think of ways to encourage and edify you all. I hope and pray that this apparel is encouraging to you. I love that I can buy faith-based apparel from other Christian shops and be encouraged by Scripture daily.
2. Scriptural apparel is a great conversation starter. Do you ever wonder how you can be a better witness to unbelievers? Well, wearing Scriptural clothing and using Scriptural products starts conversations with unbelievers more often than you think! Not only are faith-based products inspiring and encouraging to believers, but you never know what influence they will have on a searching soul.
The next three or four points are specifically tailored to the clothing items that I design, make, and sell in my shop! However, I have found other Christian apparel shops that are great examples of business that also have these qualities.
We sought out the highest quality, best method for printing our apparel that allowed us to have the most control over quality and production. That means that our apparel is...
3. Permanently screen printed. They will last through the washer without peeling or fading after washing and repeated use.
4. Made to last. Not only is the graphic high quality, but so is the material we choose to produce our apparel on. Hand pressing each design on durable fabric, allows us to play the part of quality control and not an outside manufacturer.
5. Enjoy hassle free care! This all boils down to.... no care instructions on washing and caring for your garment!
6. Our apparel is soft and cozy when it gets to you and stays that way down the road, even after a few hundred wash cycles.
7. We pour love - and prayers - over this business, our products, our creations, and our customers. You can expect love and prayers when you receive an order from our business. As a Christian business, we make a statement that Christ is put forth first and foremost. Our goals are to witness to the world and help you witness to your world. We see the importance of showing forth the love of Jesus as we go about our work to the best of our ability. And we realize we would not even be in business if it wasn't for your support. Just like the trendy Instagram Reel sound, "To the person supporting my small business, I love you. I really really love you."
8. In the end, by purchasing from an independently-owned Christian shop, you are supporting a small business instead of a corporation with large amounts of power, little care for individuals, and shaky morals. I could go on for ages on the pros to supporting small businesses. In fact, I wrote an entire Instagram post and created a graphic around this very topic last Christmas. Check it out on our Instagram page @kaseyscornershop! You will have to scroll back to around Christmas 2020, but here is a snapshot of what you are looking for.
I hope this post encourages you to shop with small, Christian shops in the future. Or it helps you in your own faith-based business to define specific ideals that you want your items - apparel or not - to live up to! Let me know if you have purchased apparel from Kasey's Corner Shop in the future, and if there are Christian companies that I can check out in the future! I'm always looking to increase my arsenal of Christian business friends and support the community of believers.
With love and prayers,
Kasey, Owner/Illustrator
Kasey's Corner Shop LLC
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Want to know what the Bible says about studying His Word? Read the blog post on that topic here:
So, now that you started, what do you do to get the most of out your studying? Well, I'm not going to pretend to be a one-size-fits-all type of girl when it comes to studying the Bible. But here's how I do it and what my time with the Lord often looks like....
Prayer is your most powerful weapon. I don't start many tasks without it. Growing up, I was taught to pray before I eat, pray before I drive, pray before I go to sleep, and so much more. But most importantly, I learned to pray before I study the Word (or pray right after).
Pray for discernment. The apostle Paul counsels us not to be ignorant of the Devil's devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). What do we know about Satan? He is a roaring lion seeking to devour our souls (1 Peter 5:8). He seeks to deceive and to destroy. We see how he has seeped into the music, the culture, and even the churches of this world with his false preachers, his deceit, and his outright mockery of God's Truth. So, if a serpent so slippery can seep into the church and steal souls away, how much easier would it be for him to feed us wrong information through unbiblical Bible studies, through worship music centered on the wrong things, and so much more.
Discernment is definitely something that every Christian needs to strive and pray for, and it is so important to pray for discernment before reading any outside materials (outside the Word) in studying His Bible.
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ... For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:14,16 KJV)
While we pray to be discerning against evil that the Devil may send to destroy or to distract us, we also must pray to discern what the Good Lord meant by His Word. When I pray over my devotions, I pray that the Lord would bind and break Satan's power that I may understand the meaning of the Word and that I would be discerning against any opinions of man that may sway me from the true meaning of the Text.
I pray the Holy Spirit gives us a discerning heart so that we may know Truth and separate it from falsehoods from the enemy.
This may seem obvious or silly, but I did not want to miss this point in my list of items I use to study the Truth. After all, how are we supposed to study what God says without his manuscript? This would also be the perfect time to touch on the many versions of the Bible. I personally use the King James Version.
Why the King James? Well, to be quite frank, it is the version that I believe to be closest to the original translation of the Greek and Hebrew scrolls that the Bible was originally written on. Now, I am not the most knowledgeable on Bible versions and the differences between them. However, I know that just like the game "whisper down the lane," something is lost every time someone reinterprets a passage of the Bible. If you are using other Bibles, just be aware of that! You can even look up the parallel passage in the King James and other versions online if that helps.
I could go on a tangent and speak to this topic all day long, but the point of this bullet is that the most important part of your Bible study should be your Bible. It is not the Bible study you are using. It's not that article by a pastor you saw. It's not the commentary that you are utilizing. It's God's Word, friends.
These next few items, beginning with the ability to take notes, are where the study can vary based on preference. I use a notebook from my shop (shop notebooks here) to write down prayers; verses that stand out to me; notes on context, history, and other Biblically references; as well as quotes from commentaries and biblically-sound pastors.
My Bible is a journalling Bible so I also use the margins for notes and references. I like to highlight and underline, write word definitions in the margins, and calligraphy favorite verses. If you want to check out the journaling Bible that I use (not an affiliate link), I've linked it here for you.
I do use commentaries and certain Bible studies to study my Bible, but it all comes back to discernment. As I tell my friends whenever I make a recommendation, "Don't believe it is truth because it is my recommendation. Please pray and read with utmost discernment."
My favorite commentary to get historical information and context from is the Enduring Word app. I will say that there have been a few things in this commentary that I frowned at and disregarded; however, I have found the historical context that this commentary provides to be very enriching. Often, it also provides Spurgeon quotes and other quotes on topics by well known pastors from yester-year.
A good amount of Bible studies that I love to go through to help me study are from the Daily Grace Co. I believe the Bible studies on people, topics, and books that the Daily Grace Co provides are very enriching and give one great discussion points and reflective prompts. So far, I have not found one that I did not like! I also highly recommend John MacArthur Bible studies. John MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church and has many biblically-sound sermons on the Grace To You app, many verse-by-verse Bible studies, and other resources that can be found on their website. I cannot more highly recommend the Grace To You app, John MacArthur, and the resources he has written.
*The links on this page are not affiliate links. If they are, that will be specified. I do not make any profit from any purchases from these links. All links are provided because I honestly recommend the resources provided.*
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