The Living by Design Blog
The Bible is packed with the spiritual nourishment your soul craves. Our aim is to provide resources to help you break it down into bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest. Articles on the Living by Design Blog are packed with heart-focused content, practical solutions for real life, and Bible-based training. Since launching this blog in 2014, we’ve featured more than 100 guest contributors. If you’d like to submit an article for consideration, please review our submission guidelines.
By Laura Sumpter The freshness of the sea air and the whisper of the wind brushed my face as I pushed open the creaky wooden gate. Our excursion had taken us to the home of an elderly lady who sat near us every Sunday at church. “Come around to
2022 Annual Impact Report Download the Printable Report By Ryan & Sarah Koontz Since we launched this non-profit ministry in 2017, we’ve received financial contributions from more than 650 people. Most people who choose to invest in Living by Design are unfamiliar to us. We may have exchanged an e-mail or
By Hadassah Treu Our days are filled with stressful situations that send us reeling in fear and anxiety. We often feel paralyzed by our fears and doubts, and we are tempted to retreat. During these pivotal times moments, we must remember that we can choose faith over fear. Sometimes, all
By Michele Morin I was thrilled to find a new book leaning against my door where the mail carrier had left it. It contained a trusted Bible teacher’s thoughts on the book of Exodus–just in time to begin preparing for a class I would be teaching soon. Tearing open the
Raise your hand if you love to study the Word of God with other believers. What a joy it is to learn and grow alongside one another as we dip our toes into the springs of living water together (Jer 17:13). I’d like you to take a moment to think of
By Anne Hope Hell is a difficult subject to discuss. It amazes me how many people I meet who don’t believe hell or Satan exists. Perhaps it is their way of justifying their lifestyle. Perhaps it is just total ignorance and believe both to be merely part of a fairy
Recently, I took a course entitled Effective Ministry to Women at Dallas Seminary. It was one of the most engaging classes I’ve ever participated in. As a woman raising two teenage daughters and writing Bible studies for women—the content was relevant and revelatory. In this article, I will share some
By Maureen Miller “The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself.” John 20:7 HCSB I stared at the words on the page. How many times had I read them, and yet I’d never
By Celia A.Miller I remember the look on my dad’s face as the doctor came through those swinging doors. We had been waiting for hours in agony and anticipation for some sort of news to put our deepest fears to rest. But when the conversation with the doctor ended with
I’ll never forget the first time I read CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. I could not have been more than fourteen or fifteen years old. I was astounded by the creativity and artistic talent of the author, yet disgusted and unimpressed by the demons’ strategies illuminated in the letters. Although Lewis
By Michelle Flaningan Most of us have heard of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. He is cited in Matthew 7 when Jesus warns about false teachers. Right after He tells his disciples to enter through the narrow gate, He says to them, “Beware of false prophets who come to you
By Susan Cort Johnson Although my siblings and I were raised in the same home, we have different ways of approaching life. Despite our differences, there wouldn’t be much strife if interactions were limited to an occasional family gathering or Facetime connections for quick chats. But in this season of
The book of Hebrews establishes the superior person, priesthood, and power of Jesus Christ while encouraging believers to persevere in faith as they endure persecution. The author also repeatedly warns his listeners of the spiritual consequences of neglecting God’s Word. Although the author is unknown, the inspiration and canonicity of
By Margaret Kemp Time is running out. That thought smacked me in the head like a wet snowball. I’d barely finished singing the last chorus of Auld Lang Syne when I sat down to make my New Year’s Resolutions (the ones I’d surely break in a few days). But, like
By Jennifer Jabbour I have a confession to make. My entire life, I’ve struggled with trying to be perfect. I’ll never forget the time when I was about seven years old. I received a “B” on my report card, and I was devastated that I didn’t get straight “A’s.” Overhearing
By Jenny Marcelene “People from your church seem different from other Americans,” an Afghan refugee said to my husband and me one evening over a decade ago. “Is it because of your faith?” My husband and I exchanged surprised glances. It was like someone lobbing a slow ball as you
Living by Design Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that delivers free Bible studies to inboxes worldwide. We exist to help believers of all ages open their Bibles, understand what they are reading, and apply the freeing truths to their lives. Through free online Bible studies, Christ-centered blog articles, faith-building
By Lieren Jamrozik A global pandemic. Countries at war. Mass shootings.Food shortages.Natural disasters. They all raced through my brain in terrifying succession as I lay in sleepless worry. A cold hand of fear gripped my heart, and a thousand different scenarios raced through my head, each one grimmer than the first. I
Over the past few years, I’ve heard many Christians proclaim that the book of Revelation is unfolding before our eyes. They firmly believe that we live in the end times and that the Lord’s return is imminent. Is “this” the mark of the beast?Is “he” the antichrist?Is “that” the fulfillment
By Annie Yorty Do you know any parents who habitually fail to keep their word to their children? They promise a treat or reward and forget to give it. Or they threaten a consequence for poor behavior and never follow through. Sometimes moms and dads abandon their marriage vows and
By Leslie Jones I watched the waves lap the shoreline from my seat on the beach, the glistening Sea of Galilee spread before me. Daydreaming about being on a boat with Jesus, I thanked God for this trip of a lifetime, a 10-day tour through the Holy Land with members
By Traci Rhoades Jesus was a master storyteller. To help people understand the things of God, He knew they needed to hear stories they could relate to Common ground stories invite us in and bring a sense of familiarity. In Matthew 13, the disciples asked Jesus why he spoke to
In January of 2019, I started my education at Dallas Seminary. My first class was Bible Exposition 101 with Dr. Mark Bailey, the seminary president (and now chancellor). Of course, I loved the class and was challenged immensely by the lectures and assignments. But the best part was the three
By Jenny Marcelene I once had a clear sense of the calling of God in my life, but one day what I thought had been a lifetime pursuit turned out to be seasonal. Perhaps most startling was I hadn’t realized the trail would end there. Deep down, I couldn’t imagine
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