Bible Study Theme Verse

Jeremiah 17:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

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I chose this verse to be the Theme Verse for the online Bible Study I lead.  I have never met most these amazing ladies in person, but we were all brought together because we have one thing in common.  Our paths crossed because of great heartbreak, but together we are looking to the future.  Anxiety can sneak up and destroy you if you let it.  We are blessed because we trust in the Lord and have confidence in Him.  I know I'm not alone in feeling anxious when we feel like we are in a drought.  A drought is when you feel like everything around you is falling apart and that God can't possibly still be there.  It's hard to turn to God when you feel empty.  We don't have to fear the drought because God promises us that even when we go through heat we are still connected to His stream.  We always have the ability to bear fruit, even when we feel weak and empty because we are using His strength, not ours.

Bible Study - Grieving God's Way: Fresh Grief

Study: Fresh Grief

VOTD: Matthew 15:29-30-"Jesus...went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them."

The Healing Process: Jesus went up a mountainside, sat down, and healed everyone who came to Him. It couldn't have been easy for the crippled and blind to journey up a mountain, but it was a necessary part of the healing process. Jesus healed those that reached out to Him, so I don't think we should be afraid to climb the mountain of despair because that is where we will find God's loving arms.

Feel free to Respond

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I like the imagery of this verse. I can just imagine all these people struggling and in pain climbing a mountain to see Jesus. I can imagine them wanting to give up because the pain was too much, but if they would have turned around when they pain got bad then they never would have received healing.

The message of the devotional is so spot on too. In the middle of grief, it's hard to hear that things will get better because you want to believe it, but it's hard to imagine feeling happy again. It's a daily journey to becoming better.

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Day 32 from Grieving God's Way:

"Those of us in grief don't need anyone to tell us the conditions of the path ahead; we don't want to know. We reject, even resent, reports of splendor down the road. "You'll be a better person," on grieving mother told me. "Who cares?" I wanted to yell. "I don't want to be a better person!" "You'll be happy again," a grieving father said. I wanted to scream, "Are you crazy? I will never be happy again!" Fresh grief is no time to find good in the bad. We don't want to know that the view is great or that wonderful things lie ahead. It's hard to see the view when you are blinded by tears. Nor should we try to sort our feelings about God and faith when we can't even determine night from day."

QOTD: What is your favorite Christmas song?

Bible Study - Thanksgiving Edition

Hi ladies!
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is about family and being thankful for what you have.  It's so easy when things aren't going our way to focus what we don't have.  It's nice to have a time set aside every year to focus on what blessings we do have.
I would love to switch up for the format for this weeks' check-in. 

What if we just listed are favorite bible verses or song lyrics that have a thanksgiving theme or that have spoke to you this year.  You can add as many as you want.  There is no limit.   If verses are repeated, I think that's probably ok.
This has been a really tough year for many of us.  I know, for us, 2012 will go down as the hardest year of our life so far.


Psalm 145:7: "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." 

Psalm 31:19: "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you."

Bible Study - Grieving God's Way: Wednesday Check-in

Ever since I wrote a message on Facebook looking for study ideas for the Bible study that I help lead, I have had a few friends ask if they could be involved.  We start a new study every week on Wednesday, with a check-in on Wednesday, Friday, then Monday. I'll post the check-ins here, so people outside of our forum can participate if they want to.

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Hi ladies,
I got this free book in the mail yesterday called, "Grieving God's Way - The Path to lasting Hope and Healing."  I thought this week, I would share some of it and we could "read" it together.  I pulled out some things to share from what I have read so far.

Study: Grieving God's Way

VOTD: Romans 8:26 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness."
Feel free to respond

When a loved one dies, the body reacts with shock.  The circulation slows; we feel cold and disoriented.  Breathing is shallow. After the numbness wears, bones ache and muscles are sore.  Food holds no interest, and though we may fall exhausted into bed each night, we often can't sleep, or we sleep too much.  This is how the body grieves. Grieving God's way requires us to trust that God will lead us through the darkness, heal our pain, take away our weariness, and fill our hearts with hope, peace, and new purpose.

Day 2: "Take a deep breath. If you are grieving a loved one, chances are you haven't taken a breath for quite some time.  The physical and emotional stress of grief can do an enormous amount of harm to the mind and body. We become so caught up in our pain we literally forget to breathe." In both Greek and Hebrew, the word for breath also means spirit.

Studies have shown that deep, slow breathing can strengthen the heart, tone muscles, increase energy, etc.  Shallow breathing, the kind that is prevalent during grief , fills only the upper parts of the body with air.  The headaches, back pain, indigestion, and depression that plague us during the darkest days of grief might simply be our bodies crying out for oxygen.

Question of the Day:

1) How does grief affect you physically and emotionally?

Bible Study: Psalm 139

Verse 1: You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

Verses 7-10:  
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

God, I need you to search me and know me.  I know that there is nowhere that I can go to flee from your presence.  You are always near me, even when I feel so alone. 
Nothing and no one can escape your concern.

Verses 13-16:
13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

God, I know you created all life and you love each and every child,
even the children that leave us way too soon.
You knit me together in our mother's womb.  
You made me special and you called me wonderful.
You have never forsaken me.
You saw everyday of my life and wrote my name in your book of life.

Verses 13-16:
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Bible Study: Psalm 37

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.  Trust in the Lord and do good dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:1-4) 

 This verse says to me that if we love the Lord then He will give us the desires of our hearts.  It's his promise to us.  God promises that when we take pleasure in Him, then he will give Himself to us.  It's easy to get discouraged when you really want something and you really believe that the desire comes from God and it's taken from you.  It's easy to become broken and start doubting that God's promises are real.  

"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread." (Psalm 37:35) 

This Sunday in small group, our leader talked about Luke chapter 7.  John the Baptist is in jail and he sends back a messenger to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”  Jesus responded saying, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”

Our leader went on to say that even John doubted some while he was in jail. Sometimes, when all we can see are our “prison walls,” we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to share what God is doing.  John never lost faith. He just needed confirmation and his faith was rewarded, right?  God saw John’s faith and brokenness and sent his deliverance and rescued him from jail, right?  No, if you know the story John was beheaded.  What does this teach us: God’s love for you is not defined His response to your brokenness.  That was a powerful message for me because I know this year I have been broken.  It’s easy to lose sight of God’s goodness and love when you are broken.

"I have seen the wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in it's native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found." (Psalsm 37: 35-36)

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in times of trouble." (Psalm 37: 39)

Psalm 37 ponders the question, "Is life fair?" "Why does it seem like the wicked are always successful."  It's basic conclusion: The success of the wicked won't last, while in the long run the righteous will flourish.  Our reward is in Heaven.  Through a lifetime of troubles and anxieties the righteous are never abandoned by God.

Philippians 3:14 - Pressing on Toward the Goal

I'm co-leading an online Bible study with the always amazing, HopingForChange.  I'm really enjoying our study of Philippians.  This is what I posted for the lovely ladies today.

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VOTD: Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

QOTD: Paul sees the Christian walk as a race with a prize at the end. He says that he will continue to run the race towards the goal because he believes that God called him. Although we may never achieve perfection in this world, it should still be our goal. What is the prize at the end of the race? I believe that Heaven is the prize at the end. This road we are running on is going to have bumps and detours along the way, no doubt, but ultimately if we stay on the path and press on, then we will win the prize.

1) Do you think to this point you have been giving all your strength to achieve the goal Paul is talking about here? What changes can you make?

I thought that I had been giving all my strength to winning the prize, but this year, I think, have proved that I have a lot of growing to do. I think I had a shallow faith because I never really had any huge hardships. Now, I'm being forced to live out the lessons that I have always taught my students and I'm learning that this journey is really hard. I know the prize is worth it at the end. I just wish the journey wasn't so hard.

I know there are changes I need to make in my life. I need to bring joy back into my life. I used to be known as the encourager and a positive role model. I have let depression rule my attitude for long enough. That needs to change.

2) Why is it important to forget what is behind? How could not forgetting the past hinder future service to God?

I think it's easy to get stuck in the past. I don't ever want to forget our past hurts, but I can learn to let go of the hurt and anger. I think that's part of what Paul was talking about when he said "press on." I don't want to stay here. It's hurts here.

Psalm 73: Why does it seem like the wicked prosper?

Why do bad things seem to happen to good people and the wicked prosper?  It doesn't seem fair.  All around us we see people living in sin that seem to have such an easier time at life than us.  As Christians we are called to be "set apart from the world", but why does it seems like the blessings always go to those living "in the world."  It's so easy to let anger and bitterness determine our next step.  It reminds me of Job.  He was considered the richest man in the land. He had everything and in one day lost it all.  He could have got angry and cursed God.  He had every right to, right?  He didn't have the Bible to read the story about himself and see that God didn't cause his suffering or that God was going to bless him in the end.  No, Job sat down, tore his clothes, and worshiped.  I think knew something that we don't know. 

Romans 5:3-4: "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Sufferings are how we get hope? It doesn't very pleasant does it?  Sometimes things don't make sense and we don't understand.  What do you do when you experience a loss so heartbreaking that you can't imagine life going on?  God has a plan.  Do I believe it?  I have to hold on hope, because some days that is all I have left.  It's really easy to look at others getting the blessings that you want so badly and get angry because you did every thing "right" and they didn't.  Why do they get blessed and not you?  It's easy for us to miss the big picture.  What bigger and better blessing does God have in store for us?  God promised in His word that He gives His children the desires of their heart.  It just might not look like what you think it will or come when you want it to.

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Psalm 73 (The Message)

An Asaph Psalm

 ^1-5 No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
   But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
   I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
   At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
   Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.  

^6-10 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,
   Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.
   They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words.
   They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace.
   People actually listen to them—can you believe it?
      Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.

 ^11-14 What's going on here? Is God out to lunch?
      Nobody's tending the store.
   The wicked get by with everything;
      they have it made, piling up riches.
   I've been stupid to play by the rules;
      what has it gotten me?
   A long run of bad luck, that's what—
      a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.

 ^15-20 If I'd have given in and talked like this,
      I would have betrayed your dear children.
   Still, when I tried to figure it out,
      all I got was a splitting headache . . .
   Until I entered the sanctuary of God.
      Then I saw the whole picture:
   The slippery road you've put them on,
      with a final crash in a ditch of delusions.
   In the blink of an eye, disaster!
      A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare!
   We wake up and rub our eyes....Nothing.
      There's nothing to them. And there never was.

 ^21-24 When I was beleaguered and bitter,
      totally consumed by envy,
   I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox
      in your very presence.
   I'm still in your presence,
      but you've taken my hand.
   You wisely and tenderly lead me,
      and then you bless me.

 ^25-28 You're all I want in heaven!
      You're all I want on earth!
   When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
      God is rock-firm and faithful.
   Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
      Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
   But I'm in the very presence of God—
      oh, how refreshing it is!
   I've made Lord God my home.
      God, I'm telling the world what you do!

Bible Study: "in the course of time..."

During the last two weeks our Bible study has been reading 1 Samuel 1&2.

1 Samuel 1: 19-20: "Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back into their home at Ranah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. (20) So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son."

This verse stuck out to the me, because it doesn't say that God heard her prayer and immediately answered it and she was pregnant the next month.  It was says "in the course of time" which means she may have waited a long time.  Hannah cried to God so much that those around her thought she was drunk.  In those days, if you were a women unable to have a child you thought you were cursed or being punished by God.  Often times, you were cast out as being unworthy.  It was a depressing place for Hannah to be, but she never stopped trusting in God.  She never gave up hope that one day she would have a child.

1 Samuel 21: 22:When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”

 After Samuel was born, she took the boy, she prayed so long for, to the Lord to live with him.


1 Samuel 2:1-10: 

“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
    in the Lord my horn^[a] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.

Those are the first words Hannah says after she gave up her child to the Lord.  She praises God for His faithfulness. On the day she makes the biggest sacrifice she will ever make in her life, she rejoices in the Lord! Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift, and praises the Giver.

1 Samuel 2:19-20 – ^“Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home.”  ->>Here Hannah's faith is tested again.  She believed that God would bless her with more children because she believed his promise. She goes home to wait... Question: Would she still believe in His goodness if He didn't?

When God answered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son, Samuel, she poured out her joy to God as well.  Remarkably, for a woman who waited so long for a child, she took Samuel to God’s tabernacle as soon as he reached an appropriate age.  There she placed him in the priests care. Hannah certainly loved her child and never forgot him. Every year she made a garment for him – a huge expenditure in those days.  She did not hold on to her blessing any more than she hung on to her sorrows.  She gave them both to God.

My only issue with this verse is God's promise, "May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to^[c] the Lord.” I assure you that no child will ever "take the place of" her first child.  Her first child will always hold a special place in her heart and will never be forgotten.

Bible Study: Psalm 25

 

¹ In you, Lord my God,

    I put my trust.

² I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord,

    teach me your paths.

⁵ Guide me in your truth and teach me,

    for you are God my Savior,

    and my hope is in you all day long.

⁶ Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

⁸ Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
¹¹ For the sake of your name, Lord,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
¹³ They will spend their days in prosperity,
    and their descendants will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,

    for I am lonely and afflicted.

¹⁷ Relieve the troubles of my heart

    and free me from my anguish.

¹⁸ Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.
¹⁹ See how numerous are my enemies
    and how fiercely they hate me!

²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;

    do not let me be put to shame,

    for I take refuge in you.

²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord, is in you.

²² Deliver Israel, O God,
    from all their troubles!

Bible Study: Psalm 143

A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, hear my prayer,
    listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
    come to my relief.
² Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
³ The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
⁵ I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
⁶ I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.

⁷ Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

¹¹ For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
    in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
    destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant.

Bible Study: Colossians 3-4

Last week, my online Bible Study finished up our study of Colossians with a chat on Monday.
My Main Takeaway from Colossians: To focus on riding myself of the things that kill (anger, rage, envy, etc) and let the peace of Christ rule in my heart.  To be remember it's a daily choice to be THANKFUL, which is not always easy to do when it's so easy to focus on what you don't have.  God wants us to be encouraged in heart and united in love, strengthened in the faith, and overflowing the thankfulness.

Colossians 3:

Verses 1-17: "Rules for Holy Living"

Verse 4 says, "Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will apear with him in glory."

Verse 5 says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:

What are some of the things that bring life and some that bring life?
Life:
"we are to be filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (vs. 12)
"let the word of the Christ dwell in you richley." (vs. 16)
"and be thankful" (vs. 15)
"love, which binds them all in perfect unity" (vs. 14)
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (vs 17)

Thankfulness is mentioned 3 times in chapters 3 and 4.  It must be a reminded command because we need to be reminded of it. We have to actively choose thankfulness.  It's a daily choice.

Death:
Anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, coveting. (vs. 8)
Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. (vs. 5)

Proverbs 14:30: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

It really does. I think sometimes that's how things work with us.  They kill us from the inside. We may look great on the outside, but we are rotting away on the inside.

 Verses 18-25: "Rules For Christian Living"

Verse 18-21: "Wives submit to you husband, as it is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
People don't like the word "submit," but if you replace it with the word "serve" it makes better sense.  If your husband is truly loving the wife with Christlike love, then it's easy and natural to submit.  These verses say that we are to serve our husbands, like we are serving the Lord, and they are to love us as Jesus loves the church.

There should be a balance. If our husbands ever have to command us to submit, then something is wrong.  The balance is off.

Family seems to important to Paul.  It was important to him that the Colossians understand what love of a family was supposed to look like.  The parents are to be a team, but the husband should still be the head of the family.  Children should obey, but with loving direction.Verse 22-25: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord."
Does this verse mean that God supported slavery?  In this verse, I see God's compassion for slaves. I don't think God likes slavery, but He still wanted the slaves to serve their masters and "whatever they do, work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

It's a call to be excellent in all we do.  "Masters, provide  your slaves with what is right and fair, becuase you know that you also have a master in heaven."  This speaks more of the balance of love and respect, serving each other, advocating for eachother, etc.

 Chapter 4:

Do you have any people in your life who meet a specific spiritual or physical need for you, like Paul has in Chapter 4?

It's great that Paul honors his partners in this chapter.  We all have partners, other Christians, that help and encourage of on our journey towards Christ.  We all need to remember thank those who helped along the way.

It all comes down to community. God never designed Christianity to be done in isolation. Can you be a Christian without going to church? Sure, but God designed us for community.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am chains." (vs. 2-3)

Bible Study: Colossians 2

We had a small group at our Bible Study tonight.  It was must have been a tough week for everyone.  I'm definitely praying for everyone that wasn't there.  There was only two of us, but we had a great conversation anyway.  {BIG Hugs} for everyone that needs one.

Insights from Tonight's Chat and Colossians 2

• "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have full understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (vs. 2-3)
  
  I think This is the theme in a lot of Paul's letters...unity and love.
  He didn't like to see Christians fighting over unnecessary things.
  
  The treasures of wisdom and knowledge... What I think we all need so desperately.
  This verse says that the more we know Christ, the more the hidden treasures will be revealed.
  
  First, we must be united in love and encouraged.  Because without them, we cannot know the mystery of God.  The mystery of God is Christ and Christ holds the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
  
• "So , just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (vs. 6-7)
  
  This jumped out at me because I know what I've always been taught. I've been a Christian my
  whole life, but there are days now that I feel like a new Christian learning these truths all over again.
  
  Paul didn't want the people to just receive Jesus and continue to live the same lives.  He wanted them to build roots and be "strengthened in the faith."  The "roots" were planted when we were young, now it's time to grow and be strengthened. 
  
  Interestingly, it sort of like our tree outside. The roots were pretty deep, so the tree grew really big and strong, but carpenter ants were able to get inside and eat away at it and now it had to be cut down.  I think that's how Satan works with us. He doesn't hurt us on the outside. He slowly drills away at our inside, until we have no strength to grow and we eventually die.
  
  
• "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Chris. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with it's regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; took it away, nailing it to the cross." (vs. 13-14)
  
  I really like this verse because we all we dead to sin, but we are now alive in Christ.  Is there anything better than that.  He forgave our sins and freed us from the law.  He took everything and nailed it to the cross.  I love this word picture. 
  
  
• "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (vs. 9-10)
  
  Christ was both fully God and fully man.
  
  True fullness is found only in Christ.
  
  Christ has complete power and authority over everything, including Satan, so we never have to be afraid.  No matter what happens, he has it all under control.  We no longer have a reason to fear death.
  
  
• Since we were "raised with him in baptism and raised with him through our faith in the power of God" we are now cleansed of all our sin. (vs. 12)

When God Has Another Plan

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

"WHEN GOD HAS ANOTHER PLAN, WALK ON AND JUST SAY YES WHEN GOD HAS ANOTHER PLAN, BE ASSURED THAT HE KNOWS BEST WHEN ALL YOUR DREAMS ARE SHATTERED, REST IN HIS SUFFICIENT GRACE WE DON’T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, WHEN GOD HAS ANOTHER PLAN

ALONE AND BROKEN HEARTED, QUESTIONS FILL YOUR MIND CHANGES CAN BE HARD THAT COME BY GOD’S DESIGN BUT IF YOU COULD SEE TOMORROW WITH A VIEW FROM HEAVEN’S THRONE EVERY UNEXPECTED STRUGGLE HAS LED YOU CLOSER HOME"

Songwriter : Amy Keffer Shellem, Daryl Williams

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:9-14

10 Things Tuesday: Colossians 1

It is interesting to me how God brings people today.

For today's 10 Things Tuesday, I am going to pick out 10 takeaways from this weeks Bible Study. We had our first online chat session last night and it was a great way to end my birthday. One of the members of the online group, decided last week that she wanted to start a Bible Study, so those that wanted to participate started studying Colossians. I'm so glad that she did.

These are a strong and exceptional group women with all different faith walks and similar but different life experiences. None of us know each other in real life, as far as I know, but we all came together. This is not an online group that one would voluntarily join, but together we are taking our next steps towards Christ.

The Christian walk is a journey with bumps along the way. God never promised that the Christian life would be easy. He just promised that if you trust in Him that He holds the future.

1. We are asking God to fill us "with the knowledge of His will" through "spiritual wisdom and understanding." (vs. 9)

2. Why was Paul thankful and praying for the Colossians? Because they had heard of their faith in Christ and their love for the saints. (vs. 4)  This is encouraging for me to think we belong to a body of believers that regularly prays for us and I hope they see "our great faith and love," even when it's difficult.

3. We need understanding, so we can "live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way." (vs. 10) How do we get "understanding?"  We have to wait until God reveals it to us.  There are things that happen that we won't understand until we get to Heaven.  I find comfort in knowing the God sees the future, but I find myself waiting to know NOW.

4. We are being "strengthened with His power...so we might have endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father. (vs. 11) When was the last time I used patience and joyful in the same sentence?  I want so much for things to happen on my time table.  I had a plan.  I can't do this without His strength.  I haven't' found complete joy, but have found joy in knowing God has a plan and His plan is better than mine.

5. I think that is really the summary of this whole chapter.  We need God's understanding and wisdom, so we can strengthened with His power when the troubling times come, so we can endurance them with patience and joy.

6. "For He rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the love." (vs 13) These past few months, I know that I felt the darkness and it does bring me joying knowing He "rescued" me and He continues to rescue me.

7. God created all things, "in Heaven and on Earth."  All things were created by him and for him. (vs. 16) Why would God create something, just to take it away?

8. There has to be plan. God knew before I was born everything that was going to happen to me. With God there are no accidents. Proverbs16:9 says In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

9.  He knew the hairs on our head, He knit us together, He knew it all, and I pray that I can look back one day and see how God used this group. What was the purpose?  What are we being prepared for?

10. "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery , which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (vs. 27)

Which joy of the spirit is your strongest? weakest? (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control from Galatians 5:22-23)

I know have room to grow in all of these. I don't any are particularly strong, especially right now. My strongest is probably faithfulness. I don't like to give up on people. My weakest right are definitely joy and patience. I want to feel joy knowing God is in control, but I want it to happen NOW, so patience is hard. I'm trying to find joy in ALL circumstances, (I Thes 5:18, James 1:2) but it is not always easy, especially when feel like you have nothing left.

Does having joy in all circumstances mean that you now happy about what happened and that you are no longer sad or hurting? No, because joy and happiness do not mean the same thing. Happiness comes and goes often depending on circumstances, but joy is from God. Even in the darkest days, when sadness, grief, and loss may threaten to overwhelm you, God’s joy is there.

Psalm 34:18 - The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

^{Psalm 34: 14-18}

¹⁴Turn from evil and do good;
   seek peace and pursue it.
 ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
   and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
   to blot out their name from the earth.
 ¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
   he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
   and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

2 Cor. 12:9-10: My Grace is Sufficient For You

2 Cor. 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 3:12-14
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,d but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Do I truly believe this? I am made stronger in weakness.  Jeremiah 29:11 - "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." It sounds good and I want it to be true.  But do I really believe it? I am looking forward to God's plan for us this year.  The best is yet to come.
Psalm 40:5

Isaiah 40:31: They will walk and not become weary

* Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

CONTENT; CONTENTMENT
kon-tent', kon-tent'-ment (ya`al; arkeo): To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one's own. The Hebrew means simply "to be pleased." The Greek brings out the full force of the word in 1 Timothy 6:8 Hebrews 13:5. Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) is more inward than satisfaction; the former is a habit or permanent state of mind, the latter has to do with some particular occurrence or object.

* But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

* I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

May 5th, 2011: National Day of Prayer - What If His People Prayed?

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14

What If His People Prayed by Casting Crowns

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more

What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith, yeah
And turn from their old ways

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way

Chorus II:
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray

Bridge:
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

Choruses:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah
And turn from their old ways
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear yeaah
If only we would pray

Psalm 23:1-6 -- The Lord is Our Comfort

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.