New Year's Resolutions

This is late in coming, but the first Sunday of 2014, Bro. Tom (http://gbczachary.com/index.php) preached an amazing sermon about new year's resolutions that I wanted to share.

1) I will read and meditate on God's Word so I will not allow my heart to deceive me or lead me to idols ("Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23)

2) I will give the Holy Spirit rule over my words ("Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee." Proverbs 4:24)

3) I will keep my eyes on Jesus and not allow myself to be distracted ("Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." Proverbs 4:25)

4) I will test all of my actions against the ultimate goal of pleasing God ("Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." Proverbs 4:26)

5) I will end the year as I began it: a servant of Christ ("Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:" Proverbs 4:27a)

6) I will grow in personal holiness (". . . remove thy foot from evil." Proverbs 4:27b)

Study - printable edition

Here is the printable version of the Bible study: CLICK HERE

You should be able to access and print the PDF. If you have troubles, please contact me and I'll see what I can do (withajoyfulnoise{at}gmail{dot}com).

Conclusion

If you have never studied your Bible before, the information we have been covering the past few weeks is probably a little overwhelming. You might want to try it all or you might want to give up. Please, take things one step at a time.

Pray

Ask God how He would have you to study. It might be something completely different than what I have suggested and that is fine! Do as God leads.

Study

Some people need to study a few minutes every day, others prefer to set aside several hours once or twice a week. Again pray to see what plan God would have for you.

Apply

As you study God's Word, He will begin to use it in your life ("For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12).

To study and never apply is described in James 1:22-25, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." As we begin to study God's Word, are we entering with a humble spirit to learn and apply, or are beholding God's truth then turning away, ignoring His Word in disobedience?

Only the Bible

Once you know how to find the words and their root words in a concordance, you can use simply the Bible as a concordance for the Bible. For instance, from the passage above, I can search for the word "sanctification" and I come up with:

If you notice, the root word for "sanctification" is always G-38. Looking up G-38, you will see that underneath the definition is a list of all of the words used from that specific Greek word.

Besides "sanctification," G-38 is also translated as "holiness." Now, look up the word "holiness" and find those with the root word G-38. Here are all of the words that I found with the root G-38 (both "holiness" and "sanctification"):

"I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." (Romans 6:19)

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." (Romans 6:22)

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1:30)

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:" (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

"That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4)

"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:7)

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." (1 Timothy 2:15)

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12:14)

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." (1 Peter 1:2)

Do We Need Other Books?

Is God's Word really enough for the believer, or do we need other books to help us along? While study books can be extremely helpful, I would caution any Christian in using "other books." Persuasive authors can use Scripture out of context and if we are not careful to use the Bible as our "plumb line," we can very easily be swayed to believe something that is not fully truth. Let us take into consideration the question at hand. Why would one think that the Bible is not enough? We can read many authors, some of which will claim that we only need the Bible, others who will claim that we need extra curriculum. Well, what does the Bible Itself say about this issue?

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:3-4)

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Colossians 2:6-8) (emphasis added)

If still in doubt after reading these passages, I would recommend you to read Psalm 119 and see what God thinks about His Word. Just as God opened the understanding of His disciples to know what His Word says ("Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures," Luke 24:45), God will open our understanding.

As this series concludes, may we apply ourselves to diligently study God's Word in 2014 so that

Jesus will not have to say to us as to the Pharisees, "Did ye never read in the scriptures. . ." (Matthew 21:42) or as to the Sadducees, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29)

Studying a Passage

To gain understanding of an individual passage, it is beneficial to have both the Strong's concordance and Webster's 1828 dictionary on hand.

Choose a Passage

Sometimes, the Lord will lead you to study through a book. Other times, maybe it is just a memory verse or another verse that God has brought to your attention.

Study Key Words

Find the key (strong) words throughout the passage (these could be many or a few). Then, look up the definitions of these words both in Strong's Hebrew/Greek dictionary and Webster's 1828 dictionary.

For example, I will use a study that I recently did.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

Sanctification

Greek - (38) hagiasmos (hag-ee-as-mos'); from NT:37; properly, purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier:

Webster's - 1. The act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God. 2. The act of consecrating or of setting apart for a sacred purpose; consecration.

Should abstain

Greek - (567) apechomai (ap-ekh'-om-ahee); middle voice (reflexively) of NT:568; to hold oneself off, i.e. refrain:

Webster's - In a general sense, to forbear, or refrain from, voluntarily; but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence.

Fornication

Greek - (4202) porneia (por-ni'-ah); from NT:4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:

Webster's (fornicate) - To commit lewdness, as an unmarried man or woman, or as a married man with an unmarried woman.

Honor

Greek - (5092) time (tee-may'); from NT:5099; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:

Webster's - 1. The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation. 2. A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions; as the honors of war; military honors; funeral honors; civil honors. 4. Reverence; veneration; or any act by which reverence and submission are expressed,as worship paid to the Supreme Being. 5. Reputation; good name; as, his honor is unsullied.

Lust

Greek - (3806) pathos (path'-os); from the alternate of NT:3958; properly, suffering ("pathos"), i.e. (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence):

Webster's - 1. Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; as the lust of gain. 2. Concupiscence; carnal appetite; unlawful desire of carnal pleasure. Rom 1. 2 Pet 2. 3. Evil propensity; depraved affections and desires. James 1. Psa 81. 1. To desire eagerly; to long; with after. 2. To have carnal desire; to desire eagerly the gratification of carnal appetite. 3. To have irregular or inordinate desires. 4. To list; to like.

Concupiscence

Greek - (1939) epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah); from NT:1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):

Webster's -  Lust; unlawful or irregular desire of sexual pleasure. In a more general sense, the coveting of carnal things, or an irregular appetite for worldly good; inclination for unlawful enjoyments.

Defraud

Greek - (4122) pleonekteo (pleh-on-cek-teh'-o); from NT:4123; to be covetous, i.e. (by implication) to over-reach:

Webster's - 1. To deprive of right, either by obtaining something by deception or artifice, or by taking something wrongfully without the knowledge or consent of the owner; to cheat; to cozen; followed by of before the thing taken; as, to defraud; a man of his right. 2. To withhold wrongfully from another what is due to him. Defraud not the hireling of his wages. 3. To prevent one wrongfully from obtaining what he may justly claim. 4. To defeat or frustrate wrongfully.

By looking into the definitions of the word, it helps me to understand the subject this passage is speaking about.

Make it Personal

Once you study the passage, you can use the definitions to make it applicable and personal. From the definitions above, my mom wrote:

     "For this is the will of God, even purifying you and making you holy, that ye should refrain from indulging in idolatry (specifically in the physical sense), that everyone of you should know how to possess his vessel in purity and dignity . . ."

To make it personal, she wrote:

     "For this is the will of God, even purifying me and making me holy, that I should abstain from indulging in idolatry . . ."

Considering the Greek and Hebrew Words

 As you look at the Strong's concordance, you will notice little numbers to the side of the verses. These numbers indicate the original Hebrew/Aramaic (for Old Testament) or Greek (for New Testament) words. By looking up the original word, it can shed light on the subject.

Let us take  the word "love" in the New Testament. The passage in John 21 shows a remarkable difference. I have copied the passage and inserted the Greek numbers for all forms of "love."

John 21:15-17

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (G-25) thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (G-5368) thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (G-25) thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (G-5368) thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (G-5368) thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest (G-5368)thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love (G-5368) thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

In the back of the Strong's concordance is a Hebrew dictionary and Greek dictionary. Be sure to flip to the correct one! For the above passage, we will find the Greek numbers 25 and 5368.

Here is what we discover:

25 agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o); perhaps from agan (much) [or compare OT:5689]; to love (in a social or moral sense):

5368 phileo (fil-eh'-o); from NT:5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while NT:25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as NT:2309 and NT:1014, or as NT:2372 and NT:3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically, to kiss (as a mark of tenderness):

From these definitions, we see that Jesus was asking Peter, "Do you really love Me?" and Peter was answering, "Lord, I have an affection for you." The third time, Jesus asked, "Do you have an affection for Me?" and Peter was grieved because he could not claim to really love Christ. Reading the original definitions help shed a deeper understanding on the words.

Topical Study with Hebrew and Greek Words

With the realization of different root words, you can do a study on the individual root words. You can look up all of the verses using agape (G-25) love and then all of the verses using phileo (G-5368) love and follow the pattern of a normal topical study.

A Simple Word Search

 One of the studies that God has led me to do most often is a topical study. A topical study is when you take one word (and all of its tenses) and research every verse with that word. One can do an in depth topical study or a brief topical study.

Choose Your Word

Perhaps the Lord leads you to do a word study on "Forgiveness." With this word in mind, write down all of the tenses and synonyms: forgive, forgiven, forgave, forgiveness, forgiveth, forgiving, pardon, and pardoned. Choose one word with which to start.

Look Up Your Word

Using a concordance (I recommend Strong's Exhaustive Concordance), look up the verses for the first word.

Read Thoroughly

Do not skim through the verses, but read them. Remember that you are not studying to "get it checked off the list today," but you are studying to learn.

Copy Verses

If you want only the briefest overview of the word, merely read the verses. If you want to glean more from this study, then copy the verses down. Often, as I am writing out the verses, the Lord will help me to learn something from the verse. I write this down as well. Sometimes, a verse will make me ponder a question, which I write down to study (either in this specific study or in my general list of studies).

Repeat

When you have finished going through all of the verses from your first word, look up the second word, using the same process, continuing through your list until you have covered all of the tenses.

Pulling it All Together

In studying a topic like forgiveness, it is easy to see that there are different applications of the word. Forgiveness covers God's forgiveness towards us, our need for God's forgiveness, how forgiveness affects our relationship with God, how we should forgive others, and specifics about what forgiveness entails. It is a good idea to take the time to categorize the verses you study. Some people categorize as they read the verses the first time. Others prefer to categorize them later.

To help you categorize verses, ask a few questions. Some general questions you could ask are:

            ~What does God's Word say about this subject?

            ~What should we do about this subject?

            ~What should we not do about this subject?

            ~Is this speaking of God?
            ~Is this speaking of me?

            ~Is this applicable specifically to me?

Applying It

James 1:22 says, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (emphasis added) We can study God's Word every day, but if we do not apply it to our lives, we still miss the mark. As you study, be sure to ask, "What did I learn from this study? What should I apply?" Do not just read. DO.

Preparing to Study

Inevitably, when one thinks of studying God's Word, the first question to arise is, "What should I study?" God's Word deals with every aspect of life and has the answer to every question ("According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4). With so many options, what should we study? The answer for each individual is different, based on their need of the moment.

Choose Something That Relates Directly to You

~Has the Lord convicted you about an area in your life on which you need to work? (ex. anger, bitterness, forgiveness, pride, humility, giving, love, self-control, etc.)

~Are you memorizing a verse and do not understand all of the words?

~Is there a specific portion of Scripture that the Lord has brought to your attention?  

~Has a specific word stood out to you recently? (ex. trust, forgiveness, self-control, etc.)

~Do you have questions about a certain subject? (ex. God's grace, security of salvation, modesty, literature, etc.)

Keep a List

As you read through those questions, the Lord may have prompted your heart about a few topics. Write them down. Now. Keep your list handy (in the front sleeve of your Bible, on your night-stand, anywhere you frequent) so that any time a topic or question comes to your mind, you can jot it down to remember for later. This list is very useful when you have completed one topic and are wondering what to study next.

Gather Your Supplies

There are several tools that are very helpful to have when you study God's Word: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Webster's 1828 dictionary (assuming you are studying with the King James), and a notebook. If you are using your computer, I highly recommend e-Sword (www.e-sword.net), a free Bible software program on which you can download all of these resources.

Prepare Your Heart

There are different ways to approach the Bible, both good and bad:

     ~to extract from Scripture what it actually says (exegesis)

     ~to read into it what you want it to say (eisegesis)

     ~to learn what God's Word really says about an issue

     ~to fuel your argument and prove your point to someone else

     ~to go to God's Word with your mind already made up what you want to see

Psalm 119:18 says, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Our motive for studying God's Word should never be to prove our points, but to open our hearts to what God wants to teach us. Before we study, we should always set aside time to prayerfully prepare our hearts and ask God to give us a teachable spirit so that He can do His work in us.

2014 Challenge: Pasar tiempo con Dios

For Christmas, I received a Spanish-English Bible. It is remarkable to hold in my hands God's Word in a different language. It is sobering as well. As I struggle to read through Spanish, understanding only a word here and there, somewhere in a Spanish-speaking country there are natives who do not even know there is a God Who has given them His Word -- in their language! Meanwhile, I am blessed to have God's Word in their language and in mine.

We can realize how blessed we are to have multiple copies of God's Word in our house, but what do we do about it? Pasar tiempo con Dios means "Spend time with God." How often do we, in our busy schedules, take the time to spend time with God? For a quick moment, think back to 2013. Were there times that you neglected God's Word? I know my answer is a sad, "Yes." What about as 2014 spans before us? What will we do to change?

One area in which God has convicted me to apply myself more is studying God's Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." While I believe it is vital for every believer to read God's Word every day, it is also important to study God's Word.

The next few weeks, it is my prayer to do a little series and share a few things about study that God has helped me to learn. Will you join me?

Not ANOTHER White Van!?

Our van had been slowly dying. For the past three years, my Dad claimed that our van ran on, “A hop and a prayer.” I know that we often saw God’s hand at work in our long, white Chevy Express as we prepared for local and long-distance ministry trips. However, there is always the point when it is time for the new.

Our faithful "White Elephant"

The beginning of this year, as God directed our family to focus more on traveling with our singing ministry it became very obvious that our eight-year old van needed replacement. Our dreams ballooned as Dad and my brother browsed the internet for vans and . . . buses!!!! Oh, to travel in the luxury of a 24-seat bus instead of cramping us fourteen Teros in a fifteen-passenger van with instrument cases stowed under seats, keeping my feet strictly in front of me and my brother’s camera back-pack limiting my stretch-ability in front. And to have a bus! That meant no six-foot white trailer bumping behind with our ice-chest hidden under an avalanche of sleeping bags and duffels. Instead, we would have luxurious over-head storage, under-the-seat storage and extra room behind the seats! And an ice-chest that we could reach without stopping.

Months passed and we looked. My favorite bus we nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” bus – white with red swirly accents. But there was always one major downside: buses cost almost twice as much as a fifteen-passenger van and . . . we did not even have money for a new van. This is nothing new, though, as we have watched in awe how God has provided to the penny our needs every time. We knew that, according to God’s will, He would provide. And as God is so faithful, He did it again! When God provided the funds for a new vehicle for the ministry, the search began genuinely. It did not take long to realize that our dreams for a bus were not a need but a want. Yes, it would be luxurious to travel in a bus, however, God did not provide money for a bus – He provided just enough for us to get . . . another fifteen-passenger van (“Please, Daddy, can we find another color besides white? How boring to get practically the same van!!!”).

Three months passed and the search for a fifteen-passenger van poised some difficulties. Dad found a van and he and Mom drove four hours to get it. They arrived at the dealership and began talking with the man only to discover that they changed the price that morning. Difficulties swelled and my parents came home in our old faithful “big white elephant.” We were disappointed, but this experience answered our prayer: it was very clear that this van was not for us. This experience also helped us to realize that though we were dreaming smaller, the dreams were still too big. We were having a difficult time accepting the exact amount God had given us for a new van and were searching above our limit.

More browsing online. Dad found another van – this time 6 ½ hours away in Texas (TexasDirectAuto.com). Dad called the dealership and told them the price that God had given us for a new van -- we needed the van and all of the legal work completed with that price. They were more than willing to work with us and long day short, the drive was made to Texas, the van was bought (complete with the extra blessing of new tires), and is now gracing our driveway. 

Another fifteen-passenger. Another Chevy. Another white van. But, it was another lesson to learn that God may not provide our desires but He is always faithful to provide our needs.

The old . . .

. . . the new!

. . .

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

As I was reading in my Bible this morning, I "came across" Psalm 136 which begins,

"O give thanks unto the Lord;

for He is good:

for His mercy endureth forever."

Of course, with Thanksgiving tomorrow, the first part grabbed me. But then, as I read through the whole chapter, it's hard not to notice each verse ending, "for His mercy endureth forever." So often, we think of God's mercies as the good things and we thank Him only for those things. But sometimes, God's mercies are disguised with trials, Him withholding our perception of "what's good for me" (Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good, to them who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."). It is easy to list the benefits, blessings, and good things, but do we "in every thing give thanks?" (Ephesians 5:20) It is quite perspective-changing to thank God for even the difficult things of life!

Has the Lord given you a special verse for this Thanksgiving? I'd love to hear it!

Giveaway

King's Blooming Rose is having a giveaway! This is a neat ministry directed to helping young ladies and I have been blessed by some of their challenges in the past two years.

 

Nature

This is my Father's world,

And to my list'ning ears,

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world,

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world,

He shines in all that's fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world,

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world,

The battle is not done,

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and Heav'n be one.

{This is My Father's World by Maltbie D. Babcock}

Picture Verse

When God Calls a Daughter to be Sarah

The story of Abraham and Sarah fascinates me. What trust of a woman who follows her husband into the unknown, following a God that their fathers did not serve!

Sometimes, we girls dream of following our future husbands that way. In our minds, we are totally dedicated to our husbands – “Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord” (1 Peter 3:6). If God calls our husband to a foreign mission-field, we will go! If God calls him to travel the country, we will go! If God calls him to be a music minister, we will go! We are prepared to follow God through our husbands when that day comes.

But what if God calls our Dad?

If God calls our Dad to a foreign mission field, will we go? (“But there are no eligible young men in Papua New Guinea!”) If God calls our Dad to travel the country, will we go? If God calls our Dad to be a music minister, a pastor, a soul-winning layman, will we go? If God calls our Dad to stand for truth even when others disagree or lead his family in a way contrary to others . . . will we go? Are we prepared to follow God through our Dad?

It looks glorious to be a dedicated little wife, faithfully submitting to her husband (Ephesians 5:22, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”), but to submit to our dads!? When following our Dad means we have to leave friends, lose friends over differences, go where there seems to be no future husbands for us, or be the “different” girl, we are not so ready to be a “dedicated little {daughter}, faithfully submitting to her {dad},” ready to go and support him where God has led him. However, before a girl can submit to her future husband, she has to learn to submit to her Dad (Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” – Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”).

As a daughter, we have the privilege and honor of being our Dad’s cheer-leading team, his support-group, and his encourager. But we can destroy that privilege by being our Dad’s resistance, his sorrow, and his discouragement.

Though written for all believers, there are a few simple truths that we should apply for being our Dad’s supporter:

~We must strive to keep ourselves in unity with our Dad’s decisions

     Romans 15:5-6 – “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

     Philippians 2:2 – “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

~We must faithfully pray for our Dad

     1 Timothy 2:1-2 – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

~We must close our lips when tempted to disagree with our Dad’s decisions

     Philippians 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

     Philippians 2:14 – “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.”

     1 Peter 3:10-11 – “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

~We must forget how our Dad’s decisions affect our wants and support him

     Philippians 2:3a-4 – “but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

When God calls a daughter to be like Sarah – to leave her family, her friends, and follow God – God also gives her the grace to follow (2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”). Sarah could not follow Abraham in her own strength, nor can we follow our Dad or our future husband in our own strength. But: “I can do all things, through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Is God calling you to be a Sarah? How will you respond?

Waiting for the "Foundation"

There are many “buts” in our life. The “buts” are generally . . . excuses. “I would do this, but . . .”

The other day, I found a very interesting “but” in God’s Word. “From the first day of the seventh month began they (Israel) to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.” (Ezra 3:6)

Israel was coming from the pagan enemy’s land to rebuild the temple by decree of King Cyrus (see Ezra 1:1-3). Almost immediately when they returned to Jerusalem, the city of the temple, they began sacrificing to God. Nothing hindered their service to the one true God. Not even the fact that the temple was not prepared or ready!

As I read this captivating story of Israel’s return to God, I began to realize that there are many “foundations” I am placing as prerequisites for my service to God. Things that in my eyes make sense, but in reality are a just an excuse for my disobedience to God’s gentle prodding. It can be as easy as, “Lord, if you answer this prayer, then I will . . .” or, “Yes, Lord, I see that I should do this, but I must wait until tomorrow.” or as far-sighted as, “Lord, I’ll do this, but it makes sense to be married first.” When we feel God’s leading, we do not need the “foundation of the temple” to be set in order before we begin. We can begin as soon as He tells us.

What “foundation” are you waiting for before giving your life, your possessions, and your time to God?

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Today, stop and reconsider how you treasure God’s Word. Is it special to you? If it is special to you, how often do you read it? Memorize it? Talk of it?

It is Written . . . for ME!!!

Stop for a moment and think about how great our God is. He created all that eye can see (Genesis 1:1), there is none greater than He (Psalm 77:13), and He is all powerful (Exodus 15:6).

Our Great, Powerful, Almighty, Holy, Perfect, Righteous, Creator God created something for each of His children to have: something that we can hold in our hands, something that we can understand, and something that will greatly help us. It is just another one of God’s wonderful gifts to us – and yet, how often do we throw it aside? How often do we view it as “boring?” How often do we view something else as more important?

This gift is God’s Word – the Holy Bible.

{following emphasis added}

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

God knew that we needed this gift, or else He would not have given it. But do we see that we need it?

Today, stop and reconsider how you treasure God’s Word. Is it special to you? If it is special to you, how often do you read it? Memorize it? Talk of it?

Just reading, or learning?

The other day, as I read through my morning Psalm, I was lifted and encouraged. It is so beautiful to bask in the truths of God’s Word, to rely on those truths, and to claim them as promises for us!!!

However, I do not always enjoy my time reading God’s Word. Sometimes I read “just to check it off my list” or skim through the page, not trying to glean anything from it. Often, I shut my Bible, continue my daily life, and forget all that I just read.

The Lord continually convicts me of this problem, and I have learned that I need to ask Him to bless my reading time and help me to learn from Him. Psalm 119:18 is a verse that I often pray: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

How is your Bible-reading going? Has the Lord used a verse, two verses, passage, or chapter in your life recently?

And since I mentioned it, here is the Psalm that God used in my life the other day:

Psalm 103

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.

14 For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Prayer— Battle in “The Secret Place”

Again, I am sharing the devotional that I read this morning that really encouraged me.

~~~

My Utmost for His Highest (by Oswald Chambers)

August 23

When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly —Matthew 6:6

Jesus did not say, “Dream about your Father who is in the secret place,” but He said, “. . . pray to your Father who is in the secret place. . . .” Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray. We cannot seem to get our minds into good working order, and the first thing we have to fight is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is overcoming this problem of our idle and wandering thinking. We have to learn to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful, deliberate prayer.

We must have a specially selected place for prayer, but once we get there this plague of wandering thoughts begins, as we begin to think to ourselves, “This needs to be done, and I have to do that today.” Jesus says to “shut your door.” Having a secret stillness before God means deliberately shutting the door on our emotions and remembering Him. God is in secret, and He sees us from “the secret place”— He does not see us as other people do, or as we see ourselves. When we truly live in “the secret place,” it becomes impossible for us to doubt God. We become more sure of Him than of anyone or anything else. Enter into “the secret place,” and you will find that God was right in the middle of your everyday circumstances all the time. Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless you learn to open the door of your life completely and let God in from your first waking moment of each new day, you will be working on the wrong level throughout the day. But if you will swing the door of your life fully open and “pray to your Father who is in the secret place,” every public thing in your life will be marked with the lasting imprint of the presence of God.

About Friendships and Disillusionments

Yesterday, I read a devotional that, while it took me reading through twice to understand, struck me as an amazing reminder of how I view my friendships.

~*~*~

From My Utmost for His Highest

By Oswald Chambers 

(July 30)

"Jesus did not commit Himself unto them . . . for He knew what was in man." (John 2:24-25)

"Disillusionment means that there are no more false judgments in life. To be undeceived by disillusionment may leave us cynical and unkindly sever in our judgment of others, but the disillusionment which comes from God brings us to the place where we see men and women as they really are, and yet there is no cynicism, we have no stinging bitter things to say. Many of the cruel things in life spring from the fact that we suffer from illusions. We are not true to one another as facts; we are true only to our ideas of one another. Everything is either delightful and fine, or mean and dastardly, according to our idea.

"The refusal to be disillusioned is the cause of much of the suffering in human life. It works in this way - if we love a human being and do not love God, we demand of him every perfection and every rectitude, and when we do not get it we become cruel and vindictive; we are demanding of a human being that which he or she cannot give. There is only on Being Who can satisfy the last aching abyss of the human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Why our Lord is apparently so sever regarding every human relationship is because He knows that every relationship not based on loyalty to Himself will end in disaster. Our Lord trusted no man, yet He was never suspicious, never bitter. Our Lord's confidence in God and in what His grace could do for any man, was so perfect that He despaired of no one. If our trust is placed in human beings, we shall end in despairing of everyone."

~*~*~

Where is our trust concerning our friendships? The more we cling to friendships, the less we will care about God's thoughts concerning the friendship. I am reminded once again to hold first my relationship with God and second, my relationship with those around me.