For five years now I have participated in the National Bible Bee. By God's grace I have qualified for the National competition 3 times.
This past summer I have studied the Gospel of John 1-6 with the Bible Bee, and it has also been my final journey with Bible Bee. And a journey it has been. The last five years have changed my life in so many ways as I have competed. But it's not just a competition to me. It's about learning and growing closer to God with each day I study and each verse I memorize. After this year I will have aged out of the Bible Bee and it's a bittersweet thought for me. I will miss the experience I have had, but will be able to take with me the many wonderful Bible study tips that I have learned. As I have studied John 1-6 this past summer I have learned so much. One of the biggest things God taught me was to rely on His strength and His power. I have been so busy this year (I finally became an author!!) and studying has been a bit more of a struggle for me than in previous years. I won't lie; I've stressed out just a little bit. ;) But then God leads me to a verse and gently reminds me that it's not in my strength that I'm doing this anyway... "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9 "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'" ~Isaiah 41:13 It is only through God that I can do this! I wanted to write a little bit to my Bible Bee friends who are like a second "family" to me, to give to them some of my tips for testing next week. :) Give it all to God. Do your best and trust Him with all of it. Pray really hard and when you've done everything else, pray again. ;) Enjoy it! Locals only happens once a year, and it's one of the most exciting times of the year! :) I know nerves can get in the way sometimes, but try to just have fun with it!! Relax and don't try to know everything possible. ;) God will help you on that test! During this last week of studying, study hard and pray, but also take breaks so that you don't overload your brain! :) One of my biggest tips is to know your memory verses well and be very familiar with John 1-6, but I'm sure most of you already are. ;) And never give up. Keep pressing on to the finish line. You are almost there!! I'm praying for you every step of the way! God has helped me every step of the way on my Bible Bee journey. I have never done it without Him. I owe all the glory and praise to Him. Without Him I am nothing. Next week I'll be taking my final Local Bible Bee test and I can't wait to see what God does. No matter the outcome and no matter what happens, I have not done this in vain. It is all for God's glory and for His praise. He is my Reward!! And He is worth it all--every hour, every day, every week, that I have spent studying His Word. He's worth it. Oh, Jesus, may I bring You glory on this final journey I am on with the Bible Bee. May Your Name be forever praised. You are my Reward forever and ever!! Soli Deo Gloria! To God be the glory! "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~Hebrews 12:1-2
8 Comments
Bella Morganthal
7/26/2015 10:55:01 am
Thank you, Anna!! :) blessings to you!
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7/25/2015 02:43:41 pm
Bella, I loved reading this post. =) It's been such a blessing being "study buddies" and sharing what the Lord has been working in our hearts...it's so neat how we're working through a lot of the same things. :) Thank you for your tips!!
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Bella Morganthal
7/26/2015 10:56:31 am
Thank you, Rachel! Yes, being "study buddies" has been the best!! :) Thank you for the encouragement you have given me over this journey! *hugs* I'm praying the same thing! Love you too!
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Kenzie
7/26/2015 09:13:47 am
So proud of you!! ♥ You can do it!!!
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Bella Morganthal
7/26/2015 10:57:23 am
Thanks, little sis! ;) YOU can do it too!! ;D
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Grace
7/27/2015 01:53:55 am
Thanks so much for this. Even though I don't do Bible Bee, it's really encouraging with my local Bible Quizzing. We have a meet coming up on the 15th, and since there's only 3 on my team this year, I'm a little more nervous. I've already memorized my chapter (1 Peter 3) and I'm starting chapter 4 today. Hey, maybe you could write a post about the methods for verse memorization you do! :-) Praying for you!!!
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Bella Morganthal
7/27/2015 01:26:30 pm
Thank you, Grace!! And that's a great idea! I'll have to do that next! ;) Praying for you too with your quizzing!
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