Friday, October 29, 2010
A Prayer for a Day That Might Have Turned Out Very Different
Are you praying every day for our country? I stop and pray every night at 9 pm. I set an alarm clock to remind me. Tonight I will pray...Thank You God for protecting this country today. You stopped those packages from doing any damage to the USA. Your love and care were evident. Please keep Your hand of security over us every day. Amen.
Pray for the Elections...
(Used by permission by my friend Betty Newman in Knoxville TN)
1Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all mankind; for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Our precious Heavenly Father, I lift to You the prayers of Your people. those joys and petitions that have been voiced this morning. And for the burdens that lay quietly, but heavily on our hearts. Oh Father, today I pray for this nation. I pray for the leaders of our nation. Today and every day, fill them with Your spirit and Your guidance.
Father, as we are in the midst of a time of elections, as the "positioning" continues, as we exercise our freedom and recognize our responsibility to vote this Tuesday, open our eyes as we seek for whom we should vote. Before we enter the voting booth, let us enter our prayer closets and go to our knees. Lead us in our choice of leaders, and decision makers - both locally and nationally. But oh Lord, even as we pray this prayer, as we cry out, we are afraid that You will give us what we "deserve." That in giving us what we "need" You will allow us to be carried into "captivity" as You did those who were "chosen" and bore Your very Name.But in many ways, we are already in captivity - the captivity of our souls and our hearts. We are enslaved by our possessions and in bondage to our own selfish desires. Father we realize that it isn't the money, or the earning of money that is evil - it is what we do with it! We are entrusted with such a huge amount of the world's resources, and yet still the world is hungry. And we must ask ourselves, is my neighbor hungry?
Please Father, don't give us what we deserve. Have mercy on us, and forgive us. And lead us to elect leaders who will bring us to the place of righteousness. I pray that we have not gone too far. God I pray for revival in this land, in our churches and in our own hearts. I pray that we Your people, who are called by Your name, will turn from our ways, and pray, and that indeed, You will heal our land and our souls. We lift our prayer to You this morning, calling upon the Name above all names, we pray in Jesus' Name - Amen.
1Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all mankind; for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Our precious Heavenly Father, I lift to You the prayers of Your people. those joys and petitions that have been voiced this morning. And for the burdens that lay quietly, but heavily on our hearts. Oh Father, today I pray for this nation. I pray for the leaders of our nation. Today and every day, fill them with Your spirit and Your guidance.
Father, as we are in the midst of a time of elections, as the "positioning" continues, as we exercise our freedom and recognize our responsibility to vote this Tuesday, open our eyes as we seek for whom we should vote. Before we enter the voting booth, let us enter our prayer closets and go to our knees. Lead us in our choice of leaders, and decision makers - both locally and nationally. But oh Lord, even as we pray this prayer, as we cry out, we are afraid that You will give us what we "deserve." That in giving us what we "need" You will allow us to be carried into "captivity" as You did those who were "chosen" and bore Your very Name.But in many ways, we are already in captivity - the captivity of our souls and our hearts. We are enslaved by our possessions and in bondage to our own selfish desires. Father we realize that it isn't the money, or the earning of money that is evil - it is what we do with it! We are entrusted with such a huge amount of the world's resources, and yet still the world is hungry. And we must ask ourselves, is my neighbor hungry?
Please Father, don't give us what we deserve. Have mercy on us, and forgive us. And lead us to elect leaders who will bring us to the place of righteousness. I pray that we have not gone too far. God I pray for revival in this land, in our churches and in our own hearts. I pray that we Your people, who are called by Your name, will turn from our ways, and pray, and that indeed, You will heal our land and our souls. We lift our prayer to You this morning, calling upon the Name above all names, we pray in Jesus' Name - Amen.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Ephesians 4: 17-32
Ephesians 4:17-32 deals with "how we walk. " To walk is a choice.
We have been studying the Letter to the Ephesians for the past few weeks. All the lessons are good…this week the lesson is very applicable to our daily lives so I decided to blog a lesson.
Review of Ephesians.
A letter written to believers, not ‘the world.’ By Paul. Ephesis was on of the greatest cities in the area at that time. Rich. Greedy. Worldly. Sinful. Can you think of any cities that you know of today that might fit that description? As a believer how would you feel today if God suddenly moved to you a very worldly city to live? There are devoted Christians that live in New Orleans, San Francisco, and Las Vegas…go figure!!! How would you ‘walk’ if you had to move to one of those cities and live in the downtown area. (I have lived in San Francisco and Las Vegas and loved it. There is nothing sinful about San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Boston, except the people and their life choices.)
Here Paul is encouraging and teaching the believers about how to live day to day in the world. We can all learn much from this particular section of Scripture.
STOP!
Read the verses slowly and intentionally, marking any words you do not fully understand. Mark the words, ‘but,’ ‘because,’ and ‘for,’ (when it means because). Another phrase that is important is ‘so that’….this is giving a direction, or a result in something.
LOOK!
This section begins with ‘therefore.’ In Seminary we learned to stop at the word ‘therefore’ and ask – “What is that therefore there for?” Paul is saying – “Because of what I just told you….do this….” The beginning chapters of Ephesians speak of Gods love and salvation…..because of Gods love and salvation…do this….WALK this way.
( Go to Romans 12:1 a well known verse, and see the ‘therefore’ )
What is ‘walk?’ Our walk is our movement through life. Our lifestyle. How the world sees us operate. It is a choice, an action.
We say that we are different from the world, from non-believers, but are we really? Is the only outward appearance to your neighbors and family that you are a Christian, the fact that you go to church every week? How many times in the last month have you said ‘no’ to something they are doing, or might do, that would make you ‘different’ from them. Lets see….how we talk. What we watch on TV. How we spend our money. My neighbors watch all those vampire and paranormal programs on TV. Do I? Should I?
Being a Christian is not a matter of all the don’ts in live, despite the list in the above paragraph. Or Christian life is all about our relationship with God, and how it makes us different from the world. Its not that we ‘don’t’ do things the world does. It is that the world does things that, because we have the Holy Spirit in our lives, we chose not to do.
Ephesians 4:19 speaks of ‘giving themselves over to lewdness’. As Christians, with the Holy Spirit directing our lives we should be choosing the things in life that are pleasing to God. We are obedient, not disobedient. We are submissive, not rebellious to the Word of God. We do it all in love, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
LISTEN! How to we apply what we have studied to our life?
I never want to seem like I am preaching to you. Every word is directed at my own heart. I know that my style of writing sounds preachy….I do not mean to point the finger at my readers. It is for me too.
I spend hours, literally hours, studying some of these topics. I have to ask each question of myself, and have it ruminate around in my head and spirit…I have hours to think about some of these questions. Whey I say “you” I am saying ‘me’ foremost.
Much of Chapter 4 of Ephesians is about believers being different from the world around them.
Be different – how? Why? To whom?
Being different from the word is not easy but is a natural flow from our change of heart, from our love and devotion to God, from the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that are born again, and that we take off the old, and put on the new. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit is living in us to guide and teach us.
I have to ask myself….do I let the Holy Spirit direct my life? Do I listen to that inner prompting .. to that “little voice”
Does your relationship with the Lord of Creation make your lifestyle different than the world around you?
How do we act/decide/choose to be different? To me more Christ-like?
1. Accept Jesus and not only our Savior, but our Lord. He is our boss. Are we obedient to His directions for life?
2. Act. Choose. Do.
3. Plan….yes plan. We have to decide how we will respond ahead of time to those things that we know will come into our life that are not pleasing to God. Plan how to respond.
I have a wonderful young nephew that I love dearly, who is about to go on active duty in the Navy. Because I spent 20 years in the Navy myself, I am aware that for many young people, away from home for the first time, and feeling that testosterone soar when they put on the uniform and feel like a man….many temptations come up. The world says to be manly…you will participate in alcohol, swearing, pornography,….in other words… Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll. It will all be presented to my nephew.
“Aunt Jeanne” has given him this lecture: Decide beforehand how you will respond to all of this. Decide beforehand what your level of integrity will be. I am not telling you what to do…but know that these temptations and your choices will sometimes have life long effects – and decide how you will handle it now.
That is the same advice we need every day in our Christian life. What is going to come before you in your life today that will not be pleasing to God? Perhaps your family or friends go to movies, or watch certain TV programs that you know are now pleasing to God. What will your response be? ( In my life, it seems like more and more I am changing the channel on the t.v. when I see something that is not pleasing to God. I am convicted that even watching sex, drugs, rock and roll, on tv is something that I need to avoid. Some of what used to be my most favorite programs…are no more to grace the screen in front of me.)
Perhaps your friends are wearing clothing styles that you know are not pleasing to God, or caught up in the vampire-craze. What do you do? How will you face criticism if you will not wear that style, or get caught up in the vampire/paranormal programs?
The holidays are approaching. How will you respond to meals, activities, social situations that may involve worldly pleasures”? Plan ahead. It all probably can be summarized in these questions…will we be obedient or God? Is what we are doing pleasing to God?
I am asking that of myself.
We have been studying the Letter to the Ephesians for the past few weeks. All the lessons are good…this week the lesson is very applicable to our daily lives so I decided to blog a lesson.
Review of Ephesians.
A letter written to believers, not ‘the world.’ By Paul. Ephesis was on of the greatest cities in the area at that time. Rich. Greedy. Worldly. Sinful. Can you think of any cities that you know of today that might fit that description? As a believer how would you feel today if God suddenly moved to you a very worldly city to live? There are devoted Christians that live in New Orleans, San Francisco, and Las Vegas…go figure!!! How would you ‘walk’ if you had to move to one of those cities and live in the downtown area. (I have lived in San Francisco and Las Vegas and loved it. There is nothing sinful about San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Boston, except the people and their life choices.)
Here Paul is encouraging and teaching the believers about how to live day to day in the world. We can all learn much from this particular section of Scripture.
STOP!
Read the verses slowly and intentionally, marking any words you do not fully understand. Mark the words, ‘but,’ ‘because,’ and ‘for,’ (when it means because). Another phrase that is important is ‘so that’….this is giving a direction, or a result in something.
LOOK!
This section begins with ‘therefore.’ In Seminary we learned to stop at the word ‘therefore’ and ask – “What is that therefore there for?” Paul is saying – “Because of what I just told you….do this….” The beginning chapters of Ephesians speak of Gods love and salvation…..because of Gods love and salvation…do this….WALK this way.
( Go to Romans 12:1 a well known verse, and see the ‘therefore’ )
What is ‘walk?’ Our walk is our movement through life. Our lifestyle. How the world sees us operate. It is a choice, an action.
We say that we are different from the world, from non-believers, but are we really? Is the only outward appearance to your neighbors and family that you are a Christian, the fact that you go to church every week? How many times in the last month have you said ‘no’ to something they are doing, or might do, that would make you ‘different’ from them. Lets see….how we talk. What we watch on TV. How we spend our money. My neighbors watch all those vampire and paranormal programs on TV. Do I? Should I?
Being a Christian is not a matter of all the don’ts in live, despite the list in the above paragraph. Or Christian life is all about our relationship with God, and how it makes us different from the world. Its not that we ‘don’t’ do things the world does. It is that the world does things that, because we have the Holy Spirit in our lives, we chose not to do.
Ephesians 4:19 speaks of ‘giving themselves over to lewdness’. As Christians, with the Holy Spirit directing our lives we should be choosing the things in life that are pleasing to God. We are obedient, not disobedient. We are submissive, not rebellious to the Word of God. We do it all in love, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
LISTEN! How to we apply what we have studied to our life?
I never want to seem like I am preaching to you. Every word is directed at my own heart. I know that my style of writing sounds preachy….I do not mean to point the finger at my readers. It is for me too.
I spend hours, literally hours, studying some of these topics. I have to ask each question of myself, and have it ruminate around in my head and spirit…I have hours to think about some of these questions. Whey I say “you” I am saying ‘me’ foremost.
Much of Chapter 4 of Ephesians is about believers being different from the world around them.
Be different – how? Why? To whom?
Being different from the word is not easy but is a natural flow from our change of heart, from our love and devotion to God, from the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that are born again, and that we take off the old, and put on the new. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit is living in us to guide and teach us.
I have to ask myself….do I let the Holy Spirit direct my life? Do I listen to that inner prompting .. to that “little voice”
Does your relationship with the Lord of Creation make your lifestyle different than the world around you?
How do we act/decide/choose to be different? To me more Christ-like?
1. Accept Jesus and not only our Savior, but our Lord. He is our boss. Are we obedient to His directions for life?
2. Act. Choose. Do.
3. Plan….yes plan. We have to decide how we will respond ahead of time to those things that we know will come into our life that are not pleasing to God. Plan how to respond.
I have a wonderful young nephew that I love dearly, who is about to go on active duty in the Navy. Because I spent 20 years in the Navy myself, I am aware that for many young people, away from home for the first time, and feeling that testosterone soar when they put on the uniform and feel like a man….many temptations come up. The world says to be manly…you will participate in alcohol, swearing, pornography,….in other words… Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll. It will all be presented to my nephew.
“Aunt Jeanne” has given him this lecture: Decide beforehand how you will respond to all of this. Decide beforehand what your level of integrity will be. I am not telling you what to do…but know that these temptations and your choices will sometimes have life long effects – and decide how you will handle it now.
That is the same advice we need every day in our Christian life. What is going to come before you in your life today that will not be pleasing to God? Perhaps your family or friends go to movies, or watch certain TV programs that you know are now pleasing to God. What will your response be? ( In my life, it seems like more and more I am changing the channel on the t.v. when I see something that is not pleasing to God. I am convicted that even watching sex, drugs, rock and roll, on tv is something that I need to avoid. Some of what used to be my most favorite programs…are no more to grace the screen in front of me.)
Perhaps your friends are wearing clothing styles that you know are not pleasing to God, or caught up in the vampire-craze. What do you do? How will you face criticism if you will not wear that style, or get caught up in the vampire/paranormal programs?
The holidays are approaching. How will you respond to meals, activities, social situations that may involve worldly pleasures”? Plan ahead. It all probably can be summarized in these questions…will we be obedient or God? Is what we are doing pleasing to God?
I am asking that of myself.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Random Thoughts - Forgiveness
What does the Bible say about forgiveness.....and how can we appply those principles to our life? When do you get annoyed with someone? When do you walk away angry? How often do we hear sermons about the issue of forgiveness? We are to forgive because God has forgiven us.
One of my previous pastors used to preach on a particular topic at least once a year, "We are most like Jesus when we forgive. " That always stuck with me. I asked myself this week...forgive whom...for what? I would bet we all go right to the 'biggies' of divorce, childhood abuse, bullying, family disharmony, etc... when we think of areas where we need to show forgivness....but is that all there is?
What about forgiveness day-to-day? I thought back to several times this week when I became irritated with someone....forgiveness is part of these 'little' irritations of life.
Forgiveness is due to the saleslady when she is slow in ringing up my items on a busy day. I don't want to leave the line in an angry demeanor....I want to forgive her, without even telling her...forgive her and just understand the situation. Forgiveness is due my physician who let me sit in the waiting room for forty minutes past my appointment time. My demeanor should be one of calmness and acceptance. That is forgiveness. Forgivness due the salesman at the computer store when the brand new computer I purchased does not work. My attitude in dealing with him should be calm and kind. I think, in my life, that forgivness is all around me. I need to be forgiving about the little things, and not just think of the 'biggies' in my life.
I think in these previous situations mentioned that it is not that we are push-overs, not that we let people take advantage of us...I think it is a sense of understanding the human condition and forgiving the mishap. Forgiveness does not mean that we put ourselves back in the same situation...we look for another store to do business with, we are just patient with the physician.
We always ask..."What would Jesus do?" What would Jesus do in the Walmart line if the cashier was slow? What would Jesus do with the computer salesman when the new computer is not working? Remember from Scripture that in many cases Jesus traveled and avoided towns that were hostile to Him. He loved them. He must have forgave them, for He forgave everyone, but He did avoid the situation. We have no record of Him in any of the large Roman-controlled cities like Tiberias or Beth Shan.
In my own life, when I think of the issue of forgivness it is easy to think about the obvious, nasty situations when we have been hurt...we are taught to forgive...our lives should reflect some amount of forgivness. It is easy to forget those little irritations in life an not see them as situation where forgivness is called for. How much better I would be as an ambasador of Jesus in the world, if I would, daily, just 'get over it' and forgive the irritations of life, or avoid those situation that might cause upset.
Thats what Jesus would do. Forgive. Perhaps avoid. Be kind and gentle. If it is good enought for Jesus, it is good enought for me.
One of my previous pastors used to preach on a particular topic at least once a year, "We are most like Jesus when we forgive. " That always stuck with me. I asked myself this week...forgive whom...for what? I would bet we all go right to the 'biggies' of divorce, childhood abuse, bullying, family disharmony, etc... when we think of areas where we need to show forgivness....but is that all there is?
What about forgiveness day-to-day? I thought back to several times this week when I became irritated with someone....forgiveness is part of these 'little' irritations of life.
Forgiveness is due to the saleslady when she is slow in ringing up my items on a busy day. I don't want to leave the line in an angry demeanor....I want to forgive her, without even telling her...forgive her and just understand the situation. Forgiveness is due my physician who let me sit in the waiting room for forty minutes past my appointment time. My demeanor should be one of calmness and acceptance. That is forgiveness. Forgivness due the salesman at the computer store when the brand new computer I purchased does not work. My attitude in dealing with him should be calm and kind. I think, in my life, that forgivness is all around me. I need to be forgiving about the little things, and not just think of the 'biggies' in my life.
I think in these previous situations mentioned that it is not that we are push-overs, not that we let people take advantage of us...I think it is a sense of understanding the human condition and forgiving the mishap. Forgiveness does not mean that we put ourselves back in the same situation...we look for another store to do business with, we are just patient with the physician.
We always ask..."What would Jesus do?" What would Jesus do in the Walmart line if the cashier was slow? What would Jesus do with the computer salesman when the new computer is not working? Remember from Scripture that in many cases Jesus traveled and avoided towns that were hostile to Him. He loved them. He must have forgave them, for He forgave everyone, but He did avoid the situation. We have no record of Him in any of the large Roman-controlled cities like Tiberias or Beth Shan.
In my own life, when I think of the issue of forgivness it is easy to think about the obvious, nasty situations when we have been hurt...we are taught to forgive...our lives should reflect some amount of forgivness. It is easy to forget those little irritations in life an not see them as situation where forgivness is called for. How much better I would be as an ambasador of Jesus in the world, if I would, daily, just 'get over it' and forgive the irritations of life, or avoid those situation that might cause upset.
Thats what Jesus would do. Forgive. Perhaps avoid. Be kind and gentle. If it is good enought for Jesus, it is good enought for me.
Ephesians 1 and 2
We have been studying the book of Ephesians in Sunday School for the past few weeks.
My goal as a group leader is not to spoon-feed you all the information, but to teach you to dig deep and improve you Bible Study techniques. "Bible Study" is just that...STUDY. These additional notes on my blog for each lesson are for those who want to dig-deeper in study. Ephesians is a book full of much doctrine, much 'meat.'
It is a blessing to lead this group. I ahve often said, "How do you learn Scripture? - Teach Scripture." I am learning so much by preparing these lessons. Hope they will be of help to some of you.
LESSON 1
Our first lesson this week will cover Eph. 1:1-14.
For this lesson read your student guide, read the verses, then answer these questions:
1. These verses are deep in theology. What do you need to reasearch for a greater understanding? Do you know what 'grace' means? What is the "mystery" that Paul writes about? Etc...
2. What is God trying to say to us in these verses?
3. What if these verses had been left out of recorded Scripture?
4. Read the verses as though Paul was speaking directly to you. What can you take from these verses to apply to your life today?
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SPEND TIME IN AN IN-DEPTH STUDY:
The Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study Technique (This is the outline I use when i am studying) “Bible Study” is just that – study! It is not casual, recreational reading. Bible Study is hard work. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture. One simple method of personal Bible Study is the “Stop – Look – Listen” technique. Many of us grew up with our parents teaching us to “Stop-Look- Listen” as we cross a busy street. This little childhood phrase can guide our steps not only across the street, but in our personal Bible Study. It is easy to remember, and we can “take it” with us anywhere!
STOP! Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the truths in His Word. Pray for no distractions or interruptions. Get your Bible. Make note of what Bible translation are you using? Why have you chosen this translation? ( I strongly recommend that you use KJ,NKJ, or NAS) Read the verses at one sitting (if possible). Slow down and look at each word. a. Mark or list any words you do not fully understand. (If you are using a KJV you might have a longer list because of the use of the old English language). Research these words using a Bible Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance, or other resource. Do not study a commentary until your personal study is complete. b. Mark any words that are of interest to you. (I always mark “because” or “for” when it means because. I mark a “P” in the margin for anything that I think is Prophecy. I mark an “I” in the margin if I see any promises to Israel. What is of interest to you?) As you study the women of the Old Testament be sure to search a concordance to see if the woman is mentioned in the New Testament, and read those verses also.
LOOK! This section is where you will spend most of your study time. Read the verses again. If your study is one of the women of Scripture: list the men associated with her life, and note how they interact with her. Getting back to our basic technique….part of crossing the street is to “Look right! Look left!” Study the verses/chapters around this story. How to the preceding events affect this story? How does this story affect the events that follow? Also….”scan the horizon.” Identify where this story took place. Find it on a map. Geography is important. Note to whom God speaks. If this is a study about a person(s), what is recorded that they said? Last year I heard a very meaningful sermon on the very familiar verses of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for…” Over the years you have heard these verses repeated. If these verses in Timothy are true, and they are, we should apply them to whatever we are reading in Scripture. ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for…. a. doctrine(teaching), b. for reproof(rebuke, censure, conviction), c. for correction(correction of error), d. for instruction in righteousness(acting in accordance with Gods teachings), e. (so) that the man (or woman) of God, may be complete (having reached full maturation, competent, capable to meet all demands) , f. thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ ” What about the verses that you are studying now? What are they profitable for?
LISTEN! Read the verses one last time. What is God trying to teach us in these verses? What would we have missed if this story/ these verses had not been written? What can I apply to my life today? This is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all! This is why we study! Pick out one verse and hand write it out. You might even memorize it.
LESSON 2 Ephesians Lesson 2 Eph. 1:15-23 The STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Study Technique The purpose of this blog is to add additional information to the study given us in our student book.(LifeWay....Explore the Bible for Sept 12, 2010 -God's Plan Involves Power) (For those who might wish to dig-deeper.)
The outline as given by Explore the Bible series for this lesson is:
I. Pray for Spiritual Insight vs 15-17
II. Expand your knowledge vs 18-19
III. Acknowledge Gods plan vs 20-23
Stop: Pray that God will open your eyes and heart to the truths He has for you. Read the verses very slowly noting any words/concepts that you do not understand, or those that might be of special interest to you (you will research these in the next section.) Review the lesson in your student book.
LOOK! Read the verses again. Research the list of words/concepts that you noted in the STOP! section. Review the previous verses in the chapter(1-14) to see how they connect with this passage. Look ahead to the next verses to see if the theme is continued. In verses 17-20 Paul is speaking of how he prays.. List the aspects(4) of the prayer…can we pray this for others today? Can we pray this for ourselves? Do we pray for spiritual insight? Do we expect spiritual insight? Do we acknowledge Gods power in our lives? Do we “know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us…”? Summarize the idea/theme of verses 15-23. Notice the words associated with power and strength. What about this power- how does it affect you, personally, today? (As a side study read Psalm 8.) Note that verses 20-23 begin to speak of spiritual warfare which will be further discussed in Chapter 6.
LISTEN! Read the verses again. The focus on this Lesson #2 is "The Reality of God's Power."
End this study with these questions:
1. What is God trying to say to us about His power?
2. What if these verses about the power of God had been left out of recorded Scripture?
3. How can you apply the knowledge of God's power to your daily life? 4.If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior...is this the day I will come to Jesus?.
My goal as a group leader is not to spoon-feed you all the information, but to teach you to dig deep and improve you Bible Study techniques. "Bible Study" is just that...STUDY. These additional notes on my blog for each lesson are for those who want to dig-deeper in study. Ephesians is a book full of much doctrine, much 'meat.'
It is a blessing to lead this group. I ahve often said, "How do you learn Scripture? - Teach Scripture." I am learning so much by preparing these lessons. Hope they will be of help to some of you.
LESSON 1
Our first lesson this week will cover Eph. 1:1-14.
For this lesson read your student guide, read the verses, then answer these questions:
1. These verses are deep in theology. What do you need to reasearch for a greater understanding? Do you know what 'grace' means? What is the "mystery" that Paul writes about? Etc...
2. What is God trying to say to us in these verses?
3. What if these verses had been left out of recorded Scripture?
4. Read the verses as though Paul was speaking directly to you. What can you take from these verses to apply to your life today?
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SPEND TIME IN AN IN-DEPTH STUDY:
The Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study Technique (This is the outline I use when i am studying) “Bible Study” is just that – study! It is not casual, recreational reading. Bible Study is hard work. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture. One simple method of personal Bible Study is the “Stop – Look – Listen” technique. Many of us grew up with our parents teaching us to “Stop-Look- Listen” as we cross a busy street. This little childhood phrase can guide our steps not only across the street, but in our personal Bible Study. It is easy to remember, and we can “take it” with us anywhere!
STOP! Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the truths in His Word. Pray for no distractions or interruptions. Get your Bible. Make note of what Bible translation are you using? Why have you chosen this translation? ( I strongly recommend that you use KJ,NKJ, or NAS) Read the verses at one sitting (if possible). Slow down and look at each word. a. Mark or list any words you do not fully understand. (If you are using a KJV you might have a longer list because of the use of the old English language). Research these words using a Bible Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance, or other resource. Do not study a commentary until your personal study is complete. b. Mark any words that are of interest to you. (I always mark “because” or “for” when it means because. I mark a “P” in the margin for anything that I think is Prophecy. I mark an “I” in the margin if I see any promises to Israel. What is of interest to you?) As you study the women of the Old Testament be sure to search a concordance to see if the woman is mentioned in the New Testament, and read those verses also.
LOOK! This section is where you will spend most of your study time. Read the verses again. If your study is one of the women of Scripture: list the men associated with her life, and note how they interact with her. Getting back to our basic technique….part of crossing the street is to “Look right! Look left!” Study the verses/chapters around this story. How to the preceding events affect this story? How does this story affect the events that follow? Also….”scan the horizon.” Identify where this story took place. Find it on a map. Geography is important. Note to whom God speaks. If this is a study about a person(s), what is recorded that they said? Last year I heard a very meaningful sermon on the very familiar verses of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for…” Over the years you have heard these verses repeated. If these verses in Timothy are true, and they are, we should apply them to whatever we are reading in Scripture. ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for…. a. doctrine(teaching), b. for reproof(rebuke, censure, conviction), c. for correction(correction of error), d. for instruction in righteousness(acting in accordance with Gods teachings), e. (so) that the man (or woman) of God, may be complete (having reached full maturation, competent, capable to meet all demands) , f. thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ ” What about the verses that you are studying now? What are they profitable for?
LISTEN! Read the verses one last time. What is God trying to teach us in these verses? What would we have missed if this story/ these verses had not been written? What can I apply to my life today? This is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all! This is why we study! Pick out one verse and hand write it out. You might even memorize it.
LESSON 2 Ephesians Lesson 2 Eph. 1:15-23 The STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Study Technique The purpose of this blog is to add additional information to the study given us in our student book.(LifeWay....Explore the Bible for Sept 12, 2010 -God's Plan Involves Power) (For those who might wish to dig-deeper.)
The outline as given by Explore the Bible series for this lesson is:
I. Pray for Spiritual Insight vs 15-17
II. Expand your knowledge vs 18-19
III. Acknowledge Gods plan vs 20-23
Stop: Pray that God will open your eyes and heart to the truths He has for you. Read the verses very slowly noting any words/concepts that you do not understand, or those that might be of special interest to you (you will research these in the next section.) Review the lesson in your student book.
LOOK! Read the verses again. Research the list of words/concepts that you noted in the STOP! section. Review the previous verses in the chapter(1-14) to see how they connect with this passage. Look ahead to the next verses to see if the theme is continued. In verses 17-20 Paul is speaking of how he prays.. List the aspects(4) of the prayer…can we pray this for others today? Can we pray this for ourselves? Do we pray for spiritual insight? Do we expect spiritual insight? Do we acknowledge Gods power in our lives? Do we “know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us…”? Summarize the idea/theme of verses 15-23. Notice the words associated with power and strength. What about this power- how does it affect you, personally, today? (As a side study read Psalm 8.) Note that verses 20-23 begin to speak of spiritual warfare which will be further discussed in Chapter 6.
LISTEN! Read the verses again. The focus on this Lesson #2 is "The Reality of God's Power."
End this study with these questions:
1. What is God trying to say to us about His power?
2. What if these verses about the power of God had been left out of recorded Scripture?
3. How can you apply the knowledge of God's power to your daily life? 4.If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior...is this the day I will come to Jesus?.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thoughts from a Friend
What can we learn from the story of the wedding in Cana to apply to our lives today?
From my friend Betty Newman in Knoxville TN (used with her permission)
Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water" And they filled them up to the brim (emphasis added). John 2:7
You know the story - Jesus is at a wedding in Cana and they've run out of wine. His mother (who apparently was helping with the guests) told Jesus about it. After some discussion between mother and Son (which we won't take time to get into right now) she said to the servants "Do whatever He tells you to do."
This scripture (verse 7) indicates that not only did they do what He told them, but they did the job completely - filling them "to the brim." They didn't know why He was asking them to do this. They simply responded. Then, when the steward tasted the wine, he saw that it was the best wine of all.
So we ask, "What's in your Waterbucket?" When Jesus sets you off on your (mundane, so it seems) task, do you do it to the best of your ability? Do you "fill it 'to the brim'," or do you just sorta fill it, because, "hey, this bucket's heavy!" and "What's being out of wine have to do with these 'waterbuckets' anyway?"
How we do the job to which we've been called (mundane, though it seems at times) is how we respond to the Master's calling. When others dip from our waterbucket, is it "the best wine, ever!" or is it just insipid water? But note… the servants didn't get the credit for the wine. They did the work, but the glory (verse 11) went to Jesus.
Are you willing to "do all the work" and let Jesus get the glory?
Prayer:Father, I lift up each of us as we "do our work" (mundane, though it seems at times) and pray that You will give us grace and strength to fill our waterbuckets "to the brim." I pray that in all that we do, the Name of Jesus will be glorified, and that the needs of others (that we are called to meet) will be met. In Jesus' Name - Amen.
(Thanks Betty for the thoughts- they spoke to my heart)
From my friend Betty Newman in Knoxville TN (used with her permission)
Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water" And they filled them up to the brim (emphasis added). John 2:7
You know the story - Jesus is at a wedding in Cana and they've run out of wine. His mother (who apparently was helping with the guests) told Jesus about it. After some discussion between mother and Son (which we won't take time to get into right now) she said to the servants "Do whatever He tells you to do."
This scripture (verse 7) indicates that not only did they do what He told them, but they did the job completely - filling them "to the brim." They didn't know why He was asking them to do this. They simply responded. Then, when the steward tasted the wine, he saw that it was the best wine of all.
So we ask, "What's in your Waterbucket?" When Jesus sets you off on your (mundane, so it seems) task, do you do it to the best of your ability? Do you "fill it 'to the brim'," or do you just sorta fill it, because, "hey, this bucket's heavy!" and "What's being out of wine have to do with these 'waterbuckets' anyway?"
How we do the job to which we've been called (mundane, though it seems at times) is how we respond to the Master's calling. When others dip from our waterbucket, is it "the best wine, ever!" or is it just insipid water? But note… the servants didn't get the credit for the wine. They did the work, but the glory (verse 11) went to Jesus.
Are you willing to "do all the work" and let Jesus get the glory?
Prayer:Father, I lift up each of us as we "do our work" (mundane, though it seems at times) and pray that You will give us grace and strength to fill our waterbuckets "to the brim." I pray that in all that we do, the Name of Jesus will be glorified, and that the needs of others (that we are called to meet) will be met. In Jesus' Name - Amen.
(Thanks Betty for the thoughts- they spoke to my heart)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Random Thoughts - How We Spend Our Time
I have to ask myself: What is the focus of my life? What are my habits? What are my hobbies?
You too….What do you read? What do you spend time doing? What is/are your hobbies? What conferences or workshops might you attend?
How do we spend our time that indicates our interests?
If think about my friends and my own habits, I might list; The local football team, quilting, walking every day, watching tv, writing, reading fiction, conferences to advance a career. Yes, much ministry to others. Shopping is a recurring theme. Caring for grandchildren.
Someone once said that to see the focus of your life…look in your checkbook (pretty old fashioned now), or you bank statement and see where you have written checks.
I believe my fiends and I are pretty run-of-the-mill women. I am not super-spiritual but it is my habit to get into the Word at least an hour most days. It is my habit. It is my “hobby’; sorry if that sounds disrespectful to God’s Word.
I believe that I have NO EXCUSE not to be in the Word every day. I am retired with no family. I have much time on my hands. I have NO EXCUSE not to be in God’s Word every day.
I look around me at some of my friends, and the ladies in church. Many are retired and fill their time with luncheons, social networking on the computer, tv, and reading the latest romance novel. Several complain that they have ‘nothing to do’ and that the world is passing them by – they are bored, etc… I am amazed. Precious time wasted when they could being doing something constructive.
One of my friends, with a husband and grown son living with her….is bored with life. The only time she seems happy is when she is “hanging out with a friend’ as she calls it. Good grief…she is 69 years old, has a home, husband and children…and is bored with life, and only happy when she is ‘tied to the hip’ with one of her friends.
Obviously she has some major issues at home…but….she still could find something constructive to do. Maybe spending time in the Word, and time with her husband would help.
The point of all this rambling is… as Christians we need to be in God’s Word. We need to learn about God, and learn how He wants us to live….even as senior adults.(I am really bothered by senior adults who say…I have studied it al before, I know it all already.”
With all the free time in the life of most seniors who are complaining….. what about spending time in Gods Word? There is great comfort in Gods’ Word. There is great insight in Gods’ Word. There is drawing closer to our Father in God’s Word.
Why is spending time in Gods’ Word, the last thing most people think about as a way to spend time. Hobbies. Shopping. Out with the girls….there is nothing wrong with all this but then…in Sunday School class, when the teacher asks, “ok who studied the lesson for the week?” very few hands go up.
It is a shame. I am sure it is a sin. God says that we are to be good stewards of our time. What about the minutes…hours…that we can never take back; that are lost. What about spending time in God’s Word?
Ok, someone will say…not everyone can read. “Can” read is the key. Most of us can read and understand. We just chose not to.
Someone will say…”I don’t like to read.” Too bad…get over it… You don’t want to see what God has to say to you? Gods Word is written for us. Too bad if you don’t like to read…do you want to hear from God?
Prayer can be a great part of wanting to be in the Word. Just pray and ask God to make you want to read His Word…but mean it.
I remember many years ago…I remember the exact place, the exact moment that I prayed, “Oh God please help me. I know you want me to read your Word. I just cannot understand, much-less, like, the Old Testament. Please God give me a heart to read the Old Testament.”
Little did I did I know what I was praying. Since that time I have been in the Word every day, much of it in the Old Testament.
Also since that day I have been back to school. At the age of 55 I studied and received my “MRS”.. Masters in Religious Science…and, at the age of 60, my “D.MIN”, Doctorate in Ministry (with emphasis in the Bible). I did not take these courses with the idea of a career…I took these courses for my own understanding…and God has greatly blessed me.
When we are children we are forced to go to school. We are forced to study to pass exams and to get our diploma. As adults we are on our own. No one can force us to sit down and open the Word of God. What a shame!
You too….What do you read? What do you spend time doing? What is/are your hobbies? What conferences or workshops might you attend?
How do we spend our time that indicates our interests?
If think about my friends and my own habits, I might list; The local football team, quilting, walking every day, watching tv, writing, reading fiction, conferences to advance a career. Yes, much ministry to others. Shopping is a recurring theme. Caring for grandchildren.
Someone once said that to see the focus of your life…look in your checkbook (pretty old fashioned now), or you bank statement and see where you have written checks.
I believe my fiends and I are pretty run-of-the-mill women. I am not super-spiritual but it is my habit to get into the Word at least an hour most days. It is my habit. It is my “hobby’; sorry if that sounds disrespectful to God’s Word.
I believe that I have NO EXCUSE not to be in the Word every day. I am retired with no family. I have much time on my hands. I have NO EXCUSE not to be in God’s Word every day.
I look around me at some of my friends, and the ladies in church. Many are retired and fill their time with luncheons, social networking on the computer, tv, and reading the latest romance novel. Several complain that they have ‘nothing to do’ and that the world is passing them by – they are bored, etc… I am amazed. Precious time wasted when they could being doing something constructive.
One of my friends, with a husband and grown son living with her….is bored with life. The only time she seems happy is when she is “hanging out with a friend’ as she calls it. Good grief…she is 69 years old, has a home, husband and children…and is bored with life, and only happy when she is ‘tied to the hip’ with one of her friends.
Obviously she has some major issues at home…but….she still could find something constructive to do. Maybe spending time in the Word, and time with her husband would help.
The point of all this rambling is… as Christians we need to be in God’s Word. We need to learn about God, and learn how He wants us to live….even as senior adults.(I am really bothered by senior adults who say…I have studied it al before, I know it all already.”
With all the free time in the life of most seniors who are complaining….. what about spending time in Gods Word? There is great comfort in Gods’ Word. There is great insight in Gods’ Word. There is drawing closer to our Father in God’s Word.
Why is spending time in Gods’ Word, the last thing most people think about as a way to spend time. Hobbies. Shopping. Out with the girls….there is nothing wrong with all this but then…in Sunday School class, when the teacher asks, “ok who studied the lesson for the week?” very few hands go up.
It is a shame. I am sure it is a sin. God says that we are to be good stewards of our time. What about the minutes…hours…that we can never take back; that are lost. What about spending time in God’s Word?
Ok, someone will say…not everyone can read. “Can” read is the key. Most of us can read and understand. We just chose not to.
Someone will say…”I don’t like to read.” Too bad…get over it… You don’t want to see what God has to say to you? Gods Word is written for us. Too bad if you don’t like to read…do you want to hear from God?
Prayer can be a great part of wanting to be in the Word. Just pray and ask God to make you want to read His Word…but mean it.
I remember many years ago…I remember the exact place, the exact moment that I prayed, “Oh God please help me. I know you want me to read your Word. I just cannot understand, much-less, like, the Old Testament. Please God give me a heart to read the Old Testament.”
Little did I did I know what I was praying. Since that time I have been in the Word every day, much of it in the Old Testament.
Also since that day I have been back to school. At the age of 55 I studied and received my “MRS”.. Masters in Religious Science…and, at the age of 60, my “D.MIN”, Doctorate in Ministry (with emphasis in the Bible). I did not take these courses with the idea of a career…I took these courses for my own understanding…and God has greatly blessed me.
When we are children we are forced to go to school. We are forced to study to pass exams and to get our diploma. As adults we are on our own. No one can force us to sit down and open the Word of God. What a shame!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)