Archive for the category 'don’t settle'
May 13th, 2010
The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (New American Standard Bible)
Bible Study – Week 8
With today’s study we come to a point of ending and one of beginning. You’ve spent the past eight weeks working toward a more Christ-like self image and attitude; learning who you are in Him. It is my fervent prayer you have developed Bible study skills that will serve you well throughout the rest of your life. With this week’s study we come to the end of our time together, but your life in Christ is new every morning. He has promised He will never leave you, or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:7-9
As you review the past few weeks you will see that you are indeed being made new. The old ideas, images and patterns are passing away. A new, fresh, mental and spiritual attitude is growing within you.
Last week as you studied Ephesians you were taught to be renewed in the spirit of your mind and to put on a new nature.
The Greek word for renewed is ananeo? “to be renewed, to be renovated by inward reformation” suggesting the whole course of life now flows in a different direction.
The Greek word translated put on is endy? – literally, to be clothed in. If you are clothed in a beautiful garment, you are beautiful, because you are covered by the garment. Nothing can be seen of you except your smile, and if the garment is truly beautiful, you will be smiling. When you put on Christ, you are clothed in Him. Your new nature says you are clothed in Christ – to see you is to see Jesus.
Paul also told his readers in Ephesus to be filled with the spirit. The Greek word has its root in pl?r?s, and where it speaks of the soul, it implies to be thoroughly permeated with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:17-19
All believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit when they become followers of Christ and are spiritually reborn into God’s kingdom. But, just as a new born baby is not fully mature, thoroughly permeated with wisdom and understanding, neither are believers fully mature at the moment of their rebirth. Believers are not to remain in a carnal state where life is marked by the appetites and passions of their old nature. God’s kids are not meant to live a defeated life. We are to grow up – into Christ.
If we would become useful members of God’s Kingdom we must have a renewed spirit, we must be clothed in Christ, and we must be walk by the Spirit.
The Assignment
Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, telling them to bear one another’s burdens.
“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
”Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.
“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” Galatians 6:1-8 The Message
These verses set the goal for a useful Christian life: Restore your brothers and sisters in Christ. Love your neighbors as well as you love yourself.
This week…study Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Use the skills you have learned to dig out every kernel of truth, all the promises, all the personal commands and every shred of Good News. Then…in the weeks and months to come…reach out to those who are not doing so well in their Christian walk. Lift them up and where possible, restore them. Don’t be misled…what you plant, you will harvest.
Today, my final challenge to you is this – always work to become a more effective follower of the Lord Jesus by putting on all He offers you. Don’t settle for anything less.
My precious Lord Jesus, may the words written here and the meditations of each heart who reads them, be acceptable in your sight. Open our eyes and ears to your Word and by your Spirit convince every soul as you purpose. We receive these blessings in Your Holy Name.
AMEN
May 9th, 2010
Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of Christ. This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.
He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:12-16
Bible Study – Week 7
Over the past six weeks you’ve been growing up in your relationship with Christ. You’ve been studying and allowing God’s Word to give you an attitude adjustment. And – whether you knew it or not – you’ve been preparing yourself for service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
As you’ve prayed daily for understanding and enlightenment you’ve gained new knowledge of the eternal hope you have in Christ. Today, if you’ve faithfully followed the Holy Spirit through these weekly Bible studies, you have a better comprehension of the deep things of God and Christ’s love for you.
The Apostle Paul told the believers at Ephesus they [we / the church] are part of the body of Christ. He tells them, “as each and every part does its job, he [Christ] makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-6; 4:12-16
In Romans we find these words, “For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, so we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].
The writer of Romans goes on to say, “Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4-5; 12:6a AB
I truly believe, just as our first priority must be to seek God’s kingdom, as children of the kingdom, our second priority must be finding out what our part is; what faculty, talent or quality we are to use to build up the kingdom.
Dear heart, you and I must come to the realization that as a part of the Body of Christ everything we do affects the entire body! That sounds like an awesome responsibility doesn’t it? But you are growing up and it’s time to accept some responsibility. Even if your part of the body is the skin on the bottom of the littlest toe – you have an affect. Think back to the last time you stubbed your toe – walked into a chair leg in the dark. Did your whole body sit right up and notice the pain? Of course. No matter how small a part we are, everything that goes on in our lives has an emotional or cognitive impact upon the whole body.
Your home, your job, the social gatherings you attend all represent where your part of the Body of Christ has an impact. The way you see yourself…your Christ-like image dictates how your part of the Body of Christ impacts everyone you meet, every day. But you need to know what part, what faculties, talents and qualities, God has called you to use – given you His grace to use – before you can impact [build up] the kingdom with the LOVE of Christ.
The Assignment
Your assignment for the coming week is a comprehensive study of Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. Read the entire letter every day. Study as you have during the past few weeks. Use all of the tools available to you; footnotes, cross-references, different Bible translations…you know how. Ask the Lord to show you the part you have been called to play in the Body of Christ, and how your part can affect the whole body.
Remember as you study, a large portion of what you learn will have to do with your family. A large part of Paul’s letter speaks to the affect each member has on the Christian home.
I have to tell you, this study of your part of the Body of Christ will take a very long time. It can’t be completed in any one week or any one year! But, as you study this week, the Lord will reveal the many facets of your particular part, and you will grow with each revelation. As you grow and learn you will become more proficient at doing what God has called you to do for His kingdom.
There is no place to stop this study of your second priority, just as there is no place to stop seeking His kingdom. You will always, and forever more, be a part of the Body of Christ. And, now that you are truly developing a Christ-like self image through the Word and the counseling of the Holy Spirit you will always desire more and more knowledge of God’s kingdom and God’s way of doing and being right. As a child of the king your spirit, soul and body were designed by the creator to seek Him first. Your trip has only begun.
I have frequently compared my trip through life, with Christ, to a dump truck flying down the road with its tail-gate down. When I look back to where He’s brought me from, the road is strewn with junk. Behind me lies the trash of a life littered with pain, sorrow, anger and worse. But it is behind me now! I am not so weighed down with my past or bound by emotion to carry it forward with me. Working on my Heavenly Father’s priorities for my life has freed me from myself – and from my past.
I can wholeheartedly promise you – if He’ll do this for me – He’ll do it for YOU too!
God’s blessing upon you. See you next week.
May 7th, 2010
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.
I hope the test won’t show that we have failed. But if it comes to that, we’d rather the test showed our failure than yours. We’re rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn’t possibly do otherwise.
We don’t just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives. 2 Corinthians 13:5-9 The Message
Bible Study – Week 6
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Let’s begin this week’s lesson with a look at your new and improved image of who you are in Christ.
A few weeks ago, during one of my seminar sessions, you established a self-evaluation based on my questionnaire. After answering my questions you had some idea of which areas you needed to work on, with God’s help, to change your negative outlook into a more positive attitude; a more Christ-like image.
Today, you’ll have the opportunity to re-evaluate some things, based on a similar set of questions. Please be as honest with yourself as you possibly can. If you want to print out the questions click HERE.
Okay… Here goes:
Answer the questions using this scale: 0 = not true; 1 = somewhat true;
2 = largely true; 3 = true
______ 1. I usually feel inferior to others.
______ 2. I normally feel warm and happy toward myself.
______ 3. I often feel inadequate to handle new situations.
______ 4. I usually feel warm and friendly toward people I contact.
______ 5. I habitually condemn myself for my mistakes and shortcomings.
______ 6. I an free of shame, blame, guilt and remorse.
______ 7. I have a driving need to prove my worth and excellence.
______ 8. I have great enjoyment and a zest for living.
______ 9. I am very concerned about what others think and say about me.
_____ 10. I can let others be “wrong” without attempting to correct them.
_____ 11. I have an intense need for recognition and approval.
_____ 12. I am usually free of emotional turmoil, conflict and frustration.
_____ 13. Losing normally causes me to feel resentful and “less than…”
_____ 14. I usually anticipate new endeavors with quiet confidence.
_____ 15. I am prone to condemn others and often wish to see them punished.
_____ 16. I normally do my own thinking and make my own decisions.
_____ 17. I often defer to others on account of their ability, wealth or prestige.
_____ 18. I willingly take responsibility for the consequences of my actions.
_____ 19. I am inclined to exaggerate and lie to maintain a desired image.
_____ 20. I am free to give precedence to my own desires and needs.
_____ 21. I tend to belittle my own talents, possessions and achievements.
_____ 22. I normally speak up for my own opinions and convictions.
_____ 23. I habitually deny, alibi, justify or rationalize my mistakes and defeats.
_____ 24. I am usually poised and comfortable among strangers.
_____ 25. I am very often critical and belittling of others.
_____ 26. I am free to express love, anger, hostility, resentment, joy, etc.
_____ 27. I feel very vulnerable to the opinions of others.
_____ 28. I rarely experience jealousy, envy or suspicion.
_____ 29. I am a professional “people pleaser.”
_____ 30. I am not prejudiced toward racial, ethnic or religious groups.
_____ 31. I am fearful of exposing my “real self.”
_____ 32. I am normally friendly, considerate and generous with others.
_____ 33. I often blame others for my handicaps, problems and mistakes.
_____ 34. I rarely feel uncomfortable, lonely and isolated when alone.
_____ 35. I am a compulsive “perfectionist.”
_____ 36. I accept compliments and gifts without embarrassment or obligation.
_____ 37. I am often compulsive about eating, talking, drinking, smoking, etc.
_____ 38. I am appreciative of others achievements and ideas.
_____ 39. I often shun new endeavors because of fear of mistakes or failure.
_____ 40. I make and keep friends without exerting myself.
_____ 41. I am often embarrassed by the actions of my family or friends.
_____ 42. I readily admit my mistakes, shortcomings and defeats.
_____ 43. I experience a strong need to defend my acts, opinions and beliefs.
_____ 44. I take disagreement and refusal without feeling “put down” or rejected.
_____ 45. I have an intense need for confirmation and agreement.
_____ 46. I am eagerly open to new ideas and proposals.
_____ 47. I customarily judge my self-worth by personal comparison with others.
_____ 48. I am free to think any thoughts that come into my mind.
_____ 49. I frequently boast about myself, my possessions and achievements.
_____ 50. I accept my own authority and do as I myself, see fit.
_____ total score today’s date_____ _____ _____
TO OBTAIN YOUR SCORE: Add the individual scores of all even numbered statements [2, 4, 6, etc.] From this total subtract the total of all the odd numbered statements [3, 5, 7, etc.] The net score give an indication of your level of self-worth.
Where your score falls on the scale between the highest possible score [+75] and the lowest possible score [-75] will give you an idea of how positively or negatively you see yourself today.
I can promise you that your score on today’s evaluation will be considerably higher than it was a few weeks ago.
The Assignment
Just in case you didn’t see as much progress as you hoped for, please take some time in the coming week to read these verses. Plant them in your heart by reading them several times, asking God to give you wisdom and understanding of each one.
These seeds will produce fruit in your life. Watch them grow!
1. Galatians 2:20
2. Philippians 4:13
3. Romans 8:1-2
4. 2 Corinthians 2:14, 3:17, 9:15
5. 1 Corinthians 4:3-4
6. 1 Peter 2:9
7. 1 John 4:4
8. Matthew 5:43-47
9. James 2:1-4
10. Ephesians 4:22-25
11. Matthew 25:14-30
12. Colossians 1:9-14
13. Colossians 3:12-13
14. Philippians 4:6-9
15. Romans 6:16 & Ephesians 6:6-8
16. 1 Corinthians 3:16 & 2 Corinthians 5:17
17. Ephesians 4:29, 5:1
18. Job 38:4-5 & Proverbs 3:5-6
19. 1 Corinthians 6:12, 19
20. 1 Peter 5:7 & Proverbs 16:3, 9
21. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
22. Colossians 1:21-23
23. Mark 11:22-24 & John 14:27
24. Romans 3:21-26
25. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 & 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
The Apostle Paul, writing to the believers in Corinth, says, “examine, test and evaluate yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it.” He goes on to remind his readers they are not testing or proving Christ, but themselves so that by an ever increasing experience of Jesus their faith will grow and their lives improve.
As believers, we can chart our growth with occasional self-examination, measuring our growth against the yardstick of God’s Word. As we grow up into the beautiful children He desires we will begin to comprehend the width and length, the height and depth of His love, and we will know and understand the LOVE of Christ which surpasses all human knowledge.
Up to this point we’ve spent a good deal of time looking at ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word, building a new and more Christ-like image; an improved picture of who we are individually in Him.
By now, you know what your number one priority, as a daughter of the king is to be…”seek first His Kingdom.”
Next week we’ll look at the second Kingdom priority. See you then.
May 6th, 2010
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. James 1:2-7 The Message
Bible Study – Week 5
During the past few weeks, if you have faithfully gone to the Father and to the Word for a quiet time each day, the direction of your life has begun to change. I know, from years of experience, the changes may seem trivial compared to the challenges you’re facing every day. I wish I could tell you this is unexpected. It is not!
The thing is…life’s challenges and tests, after you become a child of the king, come to develop your faith. We are advised to consider them as gifts – one Bible translation says, “when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:3-4 NIV
Over the past month, you have established a partial list of Bible verses that say “God loves ME.” Here’s good news – as you continue in the Word you will be able to add to this list every day for the rest of your life. Also, you have, perhaps without knowing you were doing it, developed a method of studying the Bible that will allow you to always receive the best of God’s love for you. You are his beloved child.
Each of the books in your Bible will lend itself to study as you studied John’s Gospel and his first Letter. The magnifying glass you used last week to study the 4th chapter of Mark’s Gospel will reveal equally amazing treasures hidden in any portion of the Word that interests you. We’ve only scratched the surface of the kingdom principle of planting and harvesting truth through the Word. You can plant seeds for anything you need and harvest bountifully, according to God’s Word. Just remember – don’t dig up your seeds with negative thoughts and words.
God’s Word is likened to a mirror in several Bible verses. By using the Word as a mirror – seeing yourself as clothed in Christ – you can create a new Christ-like image of yourself, and continue to dramatically change your future. But, I can also tell you from my personal experience, you will only be able to retain your new image by looking often into the Word. If you go back to looking at yourself through the mirror the rest of the world uses it won’t take very long until you’ll see the old negative image looking back at you. Just as you frequently take time to refresh your make-up and check the appearance of your hair, remember to continually renew your spiritual image by looking into the Word.
There are few things that are as pleasing to God the Father as the faith of His children. We show our faith when we do our best to live His higher life as He gives us understanding. It is from God’s Word that we gain a better understanding of how God wants to bless us…how He wants us to live. The best God has to offer is available to His children. All they have to do is understand how to operate in the principles of His Kingdom.
1 Peter 5:6-7 is the first principle. We are told to be content with who we are, and not to put on airs. The Message says, “God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.” This means we are to cast all care, anxiety, and worry on God; carrying none of it ourselves. We are to count it all joy; thanking God for the gift of a strong faith being built in us.
Matthew 9:23 gives us the second principle. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” A strong faith, developed by getting to know Christ through the Word, allows up to believe that all things are possible to us if we trust in and rely on God. I firmly believe God has, for all time, sought a people who would be His children; who would have trusting, childlike faith in Him as a Father, believing unconditionally in His ability to be everything for them. I know, by experience, if you will seek God as a trusting child seeks a loving earthly Father – expecting to receive His blessings in absolute trust, and love – all that we desire will be made possible for us. He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Jesus was an obedient and trusting human child of God. During His ministry on earth He taught His followers about love, joy, peace, hope and victory. He is the same today as He was yesterday, and He will be the same tomorrow and forever. He offers us the exact same gifts today as He offered the apostles and disciples who followed in His footsteps. We, however, must reach out and accept His gifts. He will not force them on us, but He is pleased when we accept them with thanksgiving.
The Assignment
Your assignment for the coming week is to study the Psalms each day, using the methods you have learned so far in these studies:
day 1 – read Psalm 19
day 2 – read Psalm 23
day 3 – read Psalm 34
day 4 – read Psalm 46 & 47
day 5 – read Psalm 51 & 55
day 6 – read Psalm 84
day 7 – read Psalm 103
I suggest, in the weeks to come you add a Psalm to your daily quite time whenever possible. There are great riches to be found in the Psalms. They will help you to accept your adoption and rightful position as a daughter of the King. They will help you learn to live your life as a blessing to others; to love others as you love yourself.
Continue in prayer and thanksgiving, and allow the love of Christ to shine through you to a darkened world. That’s what’s expected of a King’s Daughter. Don’t settle for anything less.
See you next week.
May 5th, 2010
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat or wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Consider the crows. They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even have a storeroom or a barn. Yet, God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds.
“Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying? If you can’t do a small thing like that, why worry about other things? Consider how the flowers grow. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. That’s the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?
“Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things. Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them. Rather, be concerned about his kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. “
Luke 12:22-32 GW
Bible Study – Week 4
Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom! Don’t settle for a tent in the castle courtyard.
Did you notice the similarities in this passage from the Gospel of Luke to the passage we studied a couple of weeks back from the Gospel of Matthew? This gives us an example of the similarities and differences in eye-witness accounts to a single incident. The point I want you to get…God’s Word is alive and active. God’s Word will meet you at the point of your need every time you go to the Word for instructions or comfort. Every time!
In this day and age, unless you live your life without TV…not an all bad idea, I might add…Crime Scene Investigation is part of our culture. Television offers us CSI drama from three cities and NCIS from two. So…it’s not a big stretch of the imagination to ask you to understand the differences in the eye-witness accounts of any event.
If you’ve been told the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John contradict each other and because of these contradictions the Bible cannot be truth, I ask you to consider the Gospels as the eye-witness accounts of four different individuals. Don’t think of the differences and similarities as contradicting each other, but rather as enhancing each other; giving a bigger picture of the whole event.
TV’s CSI also makes it possible for you to understand there are several different way to investigate an incident or a situation.
Let’s leave behind the crime scene analogy. After five shows a week it can get pretty boring. Instead let’s move our imagination toward a visit to the mountains; certainly a more pleasant way to spend a day, and a better way to show you where I’m going with this week’s study.
Did you ever consider the different ways of looking at a mountain? Believe it or not, there are several. You can stand way off, viewing it from a distance, studying the outline – the shape of the whole. You can stroll along the slopes, looking at the trees and flowers, glimpsing the wildlife; sensing it with eyes and ears, smelling and touching, making yourself one with the environment. You can also get down on your hands and knees to examine one square foot of the surface under a magnifying glass, hunting out every tiny detail available.
This week I’m going to ask you to put one tiny portion of the “kingdom of God” under a spiritual magnifying glass. By the way, the Greek word used in Matthew 6:33 implies to “hunt eagerly”; to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into. The phrase “kingdom of God” is used five times in the Gospel of Matthew. “Kingdom of Heaven” is used 30 times; as in Matthew 4:17 where Jesus said, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The “kingdom of God” is an earthly counterpart of the “kingdom of Heaven,” and points to His kingdom on earth in this age.
Let me ask you a question here. Have you considered the fact that life as you knew it ended the moment you made Jesus the Lord of your life? When you answered Jesus’ call, “follow me” your eternal spirit did all the dying it will ever do. If you are a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a believer in His work on the cross for you, the kingdom of God is your rightful dwelling place right here – right now.
The parables of the kingdom apply to this age. Now. Today! In the fourth chapter of Mark’s Gospel Jesus taught his disciples, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you.” In John’s Gospel we saw Jesus telling believers, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” John 8:31 NIV Do to the math…if you continue in His word you are truly His disciple (follower), and the secret of the kingdom of God has been given to YOU.
The Assignment
Your assignment for the coming week then is to read the 4th Chapter of Mark’s Gospel every day.
Before you begin reading, ask the Lord to reveal the secrets of the kingdom of God to you in a fresh and useful way.
As with your study in week two, read the chapter in different translations of the Bible. Use a Bible Dictionary and a Concordance. (Check out The Blue Letter Bible online if these resources aren’t already in your library.) Use all of the cross references and footnotes available to you. Get as much information as you can. And remember, we are also told in John 8:31 if we continue in the Words of Christ, we will know the truth, and the truth will make us free.
Here are some of the kingdom secrets you can expect to find this week:
1. The seeds of the kingdom are in the WORD.
2. The soil of the kingdom, is the heart of the hearer.
3. The WHOLE kingdom of God is compared to planting and harvesting.
Over the past few weeks the Word has begun to change the direction of your thinking, from negative to positive. By now you will be seeing yourself in a new light if you have been faithfully giving Christ your attention during a quite time each day.
One more kingdom secret is this – putting on the image of Christ is like putting on a lovely new garment. He changes the way we see ourselves. Please…I beg you…continue to renew your negative self-image by putting on the image of Christ; by continuing in the Word and in prayer until His image fits you perfectly. Remember, God did not call your imitation of someone else. He called you to become his adopted child. What he has for you will never be exactly the same as what He has prepared for anyone else, because you are uniquely different from everyone else.
Every day, from now on, I hope you will add to your partial list of scripture verses that say, “God loves ME.” I believe as you continue to study and read God’s Word you will hear Him saying, “I love YOU,” in some new way each and every day.
At the end of every day, from now on, I hope you will take the time to examine the small wonders God has blessed you with during the day. Every day holds many tiny miracles and great moments of beauty. Remember to look for them. Remember to thank God for them. Then before you close your eyes to sleep pray the prayer Jesus taught His followers:
“Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us daily our bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us [who has offended us or done us wrong]. And bring us not into temptation but rescue us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. AMEN
See you next week!
April 29th, 2010
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:32-34 (The Message)
Bible Study – Week 3
This week the first thing we’re going to do is look at Matthew 6:33 a little more closely. You’ll remember this verse was quoted from Jesus’ teaching. It lays out Christ’s first priority for the life of His followers. In the Amplified translation we see: “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”
This tells me I need to spend some time searching out what His way of doing and being right is all about. I’ve been working on this for about three decades now and here’s what I’ve come up with:
The first thing to do when seeking God’s way of doing and being right is to dump all of our pre-conceived notions on the subject of righteousness!
Dear heart, righteousness is a word foreign to our modern way of life. It is an old-fashioned word, often associated with religion! And, what we are doing here is NOT about studying religion. What we are working toward in these studies is a personal relationship with God – as Father, Jesus – as savior, and the Holy Spirit – as comforter, counselor and friend.
Religion, just as it did in Jesus’ day, will cause your God-image to drop like a rock. Religion kills Christians!
It is impossible for true followers of Christ to live up to all of religion’s demands. We can’t continually be righteous, live our lives God’s way, while trying to live up to all the “thou shalt” and “thou shalt nots” imposed upon us by the world’s legalist view of who or what we should be. It won’t work! At all. Period. When we try, we fall short. When we fall short we feel guilty. When we start feeling guilty, we receive the condemnation that has been feeding our negative thinking all along. When we start thinking in negatives again – we’re right back to the defeated mindset we’re trying to change. And so…like some dizzying amusement park ride, around and around we go.
So… this week we’re going to plant God’s Word in our hearts that will show us what His way of doing and being “right” is really all about.
Jesus’ life on earth was the perfect example for us. He was human and so He can sympathize with us because He was tempted in every way, as we are. Hebrews 4:15 Yet, we know he lived His life God’s way, doing right and pleasing the Father in all things.
The Assignment:
During the coming week, your goal is to read through John’s Gospel twice. The book contains twenty-one chapters, so that works out to reading six chapters each day for seven days. I know. That sounds like a lot. But really it isn’t. And I know…you’ve read it before. You may even have verses from John committed to memory. The thing is…I want you to approach it a little differently this week.
We’ve already talked about being God’s kids; heirs to God’s Kingdom. We’ve talked about being set free from the things in our past, our old ideas and attitudes, and our “poor-me” way of thinking.
This week, reading the Gospel of John, we’re looking for some new ideas. Remember, you are God’s child. The things Jesus did – He did for you. The things He taught are to benefit you, personally. His victory over death, hell and the grave are YOUR victory.
In chapter 8, verses 31-32, John quotes Jesus telling His followers, “If you abide in my Word (hold fast to my teachings and live according to them), you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” And in chapter 10, verse 10 He said, “I came so that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”
As you read through this week’s study the first time please keep in mind that the Lord was not always speaking to believers. Many times He was talking to His enemies. Watch closely for those verses where He spoke love, comfort and encouragement to His followers. Those verses are your promises! Also, watch for and make note of the verses that are commands He wanted His followers to incorporate into their daily lives.
By seeking out the promises and the commands in the Lord’s teachings we can begin to understand how much we have been offered, and how little God expects in return. God’s LOVE is patient and kind. God’s love is not demanding. God’s love never fails! God’s love will never fail YOU. God loved you enough to send His one and only Son to purchase your salvation; purchase it by dying on a Roman cross. Last week, as we studied First John, we learned God IS love.
The second time you read John’s Gospel, take it chapter by chapter, or section by section, and ask yourself these questions at the end of every one:
1. Is anything here speaking to ME, right now?
2. Is there anything here that will help me do things differently…
do things God’s way?
3. What is being said here about MY personal relationship with Christ?
At the end of the week you will have completed an outline of the promises, the commands and your personal insights into Christ’s example for your life. I suggest you review this outline carefully, and often. You will gain amazing strength and power from your findings. You might want to read it out loud, listening to every promise to internalize it further – then, if you’re comfortable with the idea, share what you’ve learned with someone else.
Don’t forget to keep praying “your” prayer from Ephesians every day, too.
See you next week.
April 28th, 2010
…what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism [religion] is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:22-25 (The Message)
Bible Study – Week 2
I love the way The Message Bible translates this portion of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He’s telling them how their actions and words will change if they belong to Christ and are lead by the Holy Spirit, and it’s an amazing transformation.
In the Amplified Bible translation of this same passage we find what I like to think of as God’s “ingredient” label for His kids.
“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Galatians 5:22-23 AB
If you pick up a jar of fruit preserves in any market you’ll always find a list of ingredients on the label: fruit, sugar, pectin, and usually a bunch of stuff no one can pronounce, listed in order of the quantity used. The ingredient used in the largest quantity is always listed first. If you follow that analogy, it would seem God intended His kids to be filled, first and foremost, with LOVE. That falls right in line with your Bible study for the past week.
I pray that you have been spending a “quiet time” with Jesus every day. I pray that through reading and hearing the Word [as you spoke it out loud] your heart has been touched and expanded. And, I continue to ask God to renew your heart, that you may be rooted deep in God’s love for you.
We’ve talked about establishing where you are with accepting God’s love for you. And about accepting yourself. We have to love ourselves before we can honestly love anyone else. Remember Jesus taught: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
LOVE! It is the most critical ingredient when it comes to making changes in the negative attitudes and self-images that keep us from experiencing the very best God wants for each and every one of us.
Life changing LOVE has to be established in small steps.
First – Recognize God’s love for you…personally.
Second – Develop Your love for yourself…because He loves you.
And as a result – Give away your love to others…as you love yourself.
We can learn a lot about LOVE from John in his first recorded letter to the Christians he loved and served. He calls them “my little children” and “beloved.” His tone is warm and intimate as he shares his concerns for them. He fears they are being led astray by false teaching so he calmly and deliberately recalls the fundamentals of the Christian faith for them. This letter is a love letter! A letter written by John, yes but, a letter dictated by the Holy Spirit, which means it is as alive and as relevant today as it was in the first century AD.
Most of you will be able to pick out some highlights from the letter as memory verses you’ve always heard quoted, or quoted yourself. This week please read First John again, this time looking at it a little differently than ever before.
Assignment:
For the coming week we’re going to pretend First John is the only book in your Bible. Not the Gospel of John which is toward the front of the New Testament grouped together with Matthew, Mark and Luke…the first of the three letters of John, back toward Revelation at the end of the New Testament.
Read it every day…like a love letter.
Have you ever received a love letter? I know. I know! Snail mail is an old fashioned idea. But let’s just pretend you’re an old fashioned girl, and you’ve received a very special love letter in the mail. As an old fashioned girl, you’ve carried the letter around in the pocket of your apron, like a character out of a sappy old-time movie; taking it out and re-reading it every time you got the chance. You’ve read it so often because in your heart you’re fitting the words into your dreams and plans for the future.
This week, try to remember as you read this letter; the first letter of John, it was written to you by the Holy Spirit and he said, “I am writing this so that your joy may be compete.”
Read the letter through today for the first time, as if you just received it. As with any love letter, savor every word. It is wonderfully exciting and full of promise.
On day two, when you read the letter again, ask God to reveal His love to you personally in every verse. In Chapter 2, verse 20 He says, “you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you know all the truth.” Search out the truth. Make a list of verses that say “God loves ME.”
The third day ask God to give you His suggestions for ways to love yourself more. Place a picture of yourself in the verses throughout the letter. Paraphrase verses like 4:19-21, inserting personal pronouns. In place of “his brother” or “he” say “me, myself or I.” As followers of Christ, we are commanded to LOVE. We are commanded to love ourselves and take that love to others.
On day four of this week read the letter again and look for ways you can show God how much you love Him. Ask him to show you those things that are pleasing to Him…not more things you can DO to stay busy; but quiet, gentle, loving things that will make your personal relationship with Him more intimate.
Read the letter again on day five with an eye toward ways you can LOVE others as you learn to love yourself more.
On the sixth day, read your Love Letter again. By now it will be creased and wrinkled from your lovingly opening and handling it. Eventually you will have a beautiful packet of love letters, tied with a ribbon and kept where you can enjoy them often. By now the love of God will be growing toward perfection in your heart and mind, and your relationship with God the Father, his Son Jesus, and his Holy Spirit will be a sweet assurance for your future.
Don’t hesitate to read different translations – every day if you chose. Look up cross-references and read footnotes as you feel led. Read the entire letter out loud at least once, so that more than one of your senses gets involved. If there are phrases you don’t understand, use a Bible Dictionary and look up the underlying meanings.
During this coming week you are going to get this “love letter” so deeply ingrained in your spirit you’ll never again have to wonder “if” God loves you. This letter was written “so your joy could be complete.”
Knowing, without a doubt, God loves ME, brings peace and amazing joy.
Oh…don’t forget to continue praying “your” prayer from Ephesians every day, too.
See you next week.
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