Friday, September 25, 2009
New Study - Angels in Scripture
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Let Go and Let God - Continued
Have you come this far and started to see how powerful the flesh is to hypnotize us to hold onto the world? Can you feel the gravitational pull on your heart as it tries to free itself to be with God? Great news...Jesus can work it out.
1:15 27 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn 28 over all creation, 29
1:16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, 30 whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.
1:17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together 31 in him.
1:18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn 32 from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. 33
1:19 For God 34 was pleased to have all his 35 fullness dwell 36 in the Son 37
1:20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross – through him, 38 whether things on earth or things in heaven.
He holds all things in His hands. ALL THINGS--wherever they are even in the darkest depths, even during the times we feel under the sea and unable to breathe--He is with Us and He holds all POWER. Oh my God, how I love you and praise you for the simplicity that you gave us in Your Word. How You knew we could jumble and bumble things but gave us a way to connect with you through prayer, meditation, reading your Word and Faith.
3:1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 3:2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3:3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 3:4 When Christ (who is your 1 life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. 3:5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: 2 sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, 3 evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 4 3:7 You also lived your lives 5 in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. 3:8 But now, put off all such things 6 as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. 3:9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices 3:10 and have been clothed with the new man 7 that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. 3:11 Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave 8 or free, but Christ is all and in all.
That is how we let go...read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, recite, hold onto His Word. All of our answers, the Balm of Gilead, salve for our wounds, hope for our dreams, healing for our bodies, strength for our minds, love for our families, joy for the morning and the night...all of it. In the palm of His Hands!
Be Blessed Beloved and have faith, pray for those who use you, love those who hate you, give to those who need, and believe in Him who gave you all things through His sacrifice...be washed in the mighty, saving power of His Blood. Love and peace until tomorrow, Sister Lisa
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Let Go and Let God - Continued
Why is letting go so difficult? Why do we want to control ourselves, other people, the world? Why does our mind fight against God's promises to clothe us, feed us, keep us, sustain us, bless us and care for us?
I believe that self-doubt, guilt, shame, ego, arrogance, unbelief, pain, fear, pride, pride and more pride keep us from receiving the covering, the cleansing, the redeeming, the power of Our God--Elohim!
Elohim, Our God, He made us in His image! His image of holiness, righteousness, love, forgiveness, peace, grace, victory. His image to walk according to the Father's will; His image to love one another; His image to forgive; His image to triumph over evil; His image to live forever; His image to not change the world but to seek and save those who are lost; His image to to keep us and never to leave us.
Those are just a few attributes of God's image...there are thousands more. He wants us to know Him, because to know Him is to know ourselves. To love Him is to love ourselves. To receive His grace, His forgiveness, His mercy is all that we need to be transformed and renew our minds into His image.
Read:
Genesis 1
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
10And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
11And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
12And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
13And the evening and the morning were the third day.
14And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
19And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
22And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
23And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Matthew 51And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heavenRomans 5
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~QUESTIONS:
1. When did God create us? Why do you think He waited until the Sixth Day?
2. Did God create us with sin and doubt? Do you believe He provided us with all of our needs?
3. In Matthew, what did God promise believers? Do you believe that He has given you all of these things? Have you let your salt and light into the world? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. According to Romans, how do we get power? Who gives us that Power? What should we do with His Power?
5. What are the ways we can be obedient in faith to God? Is God's gift complicated? Why do you find it difficult to receive the gift of grace by faith?
6. What is our hope? How does that hope come to us? How does it all begin?
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Elohim, the Magnificent, Majestic and Mystical God, made Himself known to us through His Word. He made us in His image, He gave us His Word, He sacrificed His Son to free us from the law of sin and death. Examine this, contemplate this, accept this into your heart, mind and soul.
It isn't out feelings, our flesh, our ways that bring us under His control. It is our belief, our faith in all that the Father did, gave, completed for us that we submit our spirits to His Spirit, our flesh to His Flesh, our minds to the cleansing power of His Shed Blood. When we truly accept this, trust this, stand on His Word against storms, tides, disruptions, unbelief, tragedy, triumph and terrors--when we do this (and we must do it everyday for His Mercy is new every morning) He takes control, leads our lives, keeps us from temptation and sin, leads us unto pathways with living water and the bread of life.
What more could we ask? What more could Elohim do for us? He has completed it. Fini. Rejoice Sisters and Brothers and be glad in that knowledge. Blessings to you all, Sister Lisa
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Let Go and Let God
Day 3, 24 June 2009
We're still learning to "let go". In our world where control, goals, competition is rampant it is so difficult to just step back, be humble and let life happen. We want it now, we want what we want, we want to complain, we want to manipulate, we want to predict the outcome. But this is not what God's Word says:
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; 21 only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, 22 but through love serve one another. 23 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, 24 namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 25 5:15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another, 26 beware that you are not consumed 27 by one another. 5:16 But I say, live 28 by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 29 5:17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires 30 that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to 31 each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh 32 are obvious: 33 sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, 34 hostilities, 35 strife, 36 jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, 37 factions, 5:21 envying, 38 murder, 39 drunkenness, carousing, 40 and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit 41 is love, 42 joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 43 5:23 gentleness, and 44 self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ 45 have crucified the flesh 46 with its passions 47 and desires. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with 48 the Spirit. 5:26 Let us not become conceited, 49 provoking 50 one another, being jealous 51 of one another.
We must let go of the flesh and its earthly desires and walk in the Spirit!QUESTIONS:
1. What does God say about those who do not put away the pursuit of fleshly things?
2. What is the great commandment that God has given to us?
3. Can we love another if we do not love ourselves?
4. Can we love ourselves if we are slaves to sin? How can we overcome sin?
5. What power does God say we have to overcome the flesh and works of the devil?
6. Are you using that power now?
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Well fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I do not walk worthy at all times but I do claim progress and not perfection. I put on the perfection of Christ and His perfect gift of grace, I walk in the Spirit but at times I do fall. I do put on this world, do strive to achieve those things that "man" says are important measures of success.
I look back on many wasted opportunities where I could have chosen love over winning, encouragement over competition, gentleness over glee, kindness over self-promotion. Then I look forward and know that my Redeemer has forgiven me those times and that I have His power to "let go" of the world and walk in the gentleness and goodness of the Spirit. I can right many of those wrongs, in humbleness, if I truly care to "let God". He will give an opportunity to make it right with those who weren't treated with love.
I urge you brethren to take that opportunity to open your heart and ask for healing and forgiveness from God, but also from the people you have wronged. What better testimony than to humble yourself and ask for forgiveness and nothing else? God gave us the ultimate sacrifice, us making amends is a small service to Jesus for all He did for us. God bless you all, Sister Lisa
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Let Go and Let God
Sometimes the beauty that surrounds us is blocked out by the day-to-day struggles in life. Boredom, frustration, tiredness, depression - these things are all ways of the world to get us to take the focus off of God and onto ourselves.
Letting go is letting life...believing that God has a Master Plan for us and for the world. He sent Jesus to save the world, to save us from the wickedness that envelops us at times. We put one foot in front of the other and it doesn't seem to be enough but God has other plans.
Putting one foot in front of the other works, if you are on the right path. How do we know? How can we be certain? What happens if we look back and pine for the good old days? That is not what God wants for us. He wants confidence, belief, faith that with each step we are moving closer to Him.
He doesn't test us, He trusts us! Wow, what a different perspective that gives me in my walk with Him. Nothing happens by chance, nothing happens that is not of His Holy Pursposeful Plan.
40:12 Who has measured out the waters 23 in the hollow of his hand,
or carefully 24 measured the sky, 25
or carefully weighed 26 the soil of the earth,
or weighed the mountains in a balance,
or the hills on scales? 27
40:13 Who comprehends 28 the mind 29 of the Lord,
or gives him instruction as his counselor? 30
40:14 From whom does he receive directions? 31
Who 32 teaches him the correct way to do things, 33
or imparts knowledge to him,
or instructs him in skillful design? 34
40:15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales.
He lifts 35 the coastlands 36 as if they were dust.
40:16 Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice; 37
its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings. 38
40:17 All the nations are insignificant before him;
they are regarded as absolutely nothing. 39
40:18 To whom can you compare God?
To what image can you liken him?
40:19 A craftsman casts 40 an idol;
a metalsmith overlays it with gold
and forges silver chains for it.
40:20 To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; 41
he then seeks a skilled craftsman
to make 42 an idol that will not fall over.
40:21 Do you not know?
Do you not hear?
Has it not been told to you since the very beginning?
Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made?
40:22 He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon; 43
its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. 44
He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, 45
and spreads it out 46 like a pitched tent. 47
40:23 He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing;
he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant.
40:24 Indeed, they are barely planted;
yes, they are barely sown;
yes, they barely take root in the earth,
and then he blows on them, causing them to dry up,
and the wind carries them away like straw.
40:25 “To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?”
says the Holy One. 48
Who created all these heavenly lights? 50
He is the one who leads out their ranks; 51
he calls them all by name.
Because of his absolute power and awesome strength,
not one of them is missing.
40:27 Why do you say, Jacob,
Why do you say, Israel,
“The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, 52
My God is not concerned with my vindication”? 53
40:28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is an eternal God,
the creator of the whole earth. 54
He does not get tired or weary;
there is no limit to his wisdom. 55
40:29 He gives strength to those who are tired;
to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.
40:30 Even youths get tired and weary;
even strong young men clumsily stumble. 56
40:31 But those who wait for the Lord’s help 57 find renewed strength;
they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, 58
they run without growing weary,
they walk without getting tired.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~QUESTIONS
1. After meditating on the scriptures above, does God provide everything?
2. Is there anything in your life, any struggle that you walk through, which God is not aware?
3. What provisions does God make for us when we are weary and worn?
4. Does God want us bored, frustrated, tired? What does He want us to do?
5. Does "letting go" mean we just sit back and kick up our feet, waiting on God to "do something"?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meditate on those scriptures again and then close your eyes, imagine the majestic eagle in her nest edging her eaglets to the end of the nest and pushing them over. Now image the faith, the trust, the reassurance she must have to trust a God that will not let her little ones fall, fail or die. She looks up to the heavens and trusts her Master and as she looks upward, she sees her eaglets soaring toward heaven and gives thanks.
She knows, she rests in the faith, that all is right with God's plan. She slumbers and wakes in the morning and soars with her family, as brothers and sisters, into the wind high above the chaos of the world--held in the air miraculously by Our Heavenly Father's Hand and Plan. Have peace my sisters and brothers in Christ--soar with the eagles and the wind for He will provide safety, Sister Lisa
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Let Go and Let God
Let Go and Let God! Today is Father's Day. What better gift to give our Heavenly Father than to trust totally in His provision and Word? I've been doing other things for a while and am back to study His Word with you all. Thank you for your patience and dedication to Him.
Day 1 - How Do We Let Go?
Letting go has so many different meanings and aspects in each person's life. It could mean letting go of a past hurt, resentment, favorite past time, worry, frustration, or love. It may mean standing in the shadow, being still or quiet, letting someone we love fall, or letting ourselves fail. Whatever you need to let go of today, let's explore in God's Word how we do that with peace of mind.
What should we let go of? God's Word says in Genesis that He spoke and said, "Let there be..." and He formed the universe, the world, the earth, the inhabitants, the animals, plants, seas and all that there is, was and is to be. Read Genesis Chapter 1 and reflect on what He made and what we should "let go" of!
James 1
1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, 15 and he himself tempts no one. 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 1:15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 1:16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. 16 1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift 17 is from above, coming down 18 from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. 19 1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth 20 through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
So let us meditate on what God created, how He created it and for Whom He created the heavens and the earth. We were created in His image and righteousness and therefore, we cannot be tempted by God. Let us "let go" of that notion--that God is testing us or tempting us or trying to "trick" us! He is not, we are His Holy Workmanship and He, through His Word has provided a way out for us.
Questions:
1. What do you need to let go of? Think about your walk, your talk, your thoughts, your worries, your relationships, your habits, your likes, your desires...what do you need to give over to the Spirit of the Living God?
2. Pray about James 1. Examine your heart and ask yourself, do I blame God for any misgiving or wickedness in my life or the lives of those I love? If so, ask yourself, is this Godly?
3. Are you holding something, anything, back from God? Is your pride rearing up against the will of God by saying "this one thing I'll handle myself, this is just a little something that I can do all by myself". If so, it may be the one "little" thing that is separating you from joy and peace. Pray about it and lay it at the altar now.
4. Examine your style of worship, prayer, praise and study of His Word. Do you have one? If not, time to develop a focus on your faith that includes follow-through and discipline. Commit to it today--ten minutes, fifteen minutes of prayer, meditation, study and reflection on all God has done for you each day. YOU CAN DO IT!
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We're learning and growing together Saints. Letting go is not easy, it is comfortable to stay where we are and not grow. With growth comes rain, sun, wind, weeding, plucking, stretching, learning, losing, and lack of control! With God all things are possible...until tomorrow sweet blessings on your heart, mind and soul. Sister Lisa
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Week 3 Day 1
Friday, March 27, 2009
First Place Week 2, Day 7
This week we learned a lot about prayer. Our memory verse stated that if we believe, whatever we ask we will receive. We know this means we need to pray in accordance with God's Will and open our hearts to the possibility that our Heavenly Father knows what is in our best interest better than we do.
Jesus wasn't happy nor excited about being crucified; he even asked the Father to let his task pass from him. But, he knew enough to say to God, "Not my will but thine be done." And THANK HIM for that--where would we be? We would be lost without a Savior, still searching for how we could connect and have a relationship with God. Thank God that Jesus was obedient to the Cross.
Are you ready for His Will to be done in your life? Delight yourself in Him, commit your ways to His. If you fall, get up and ask the Father to order your steps according to His Word. Trust in the Lord.
Humble yourself and ask Him for faith, strength and answers. They are all to be found in His Holy Word. God, turn my head toward you and away from the statues and distractions of this life. I fail you daily Lord but know that all things are possible with You. I ask you to cleanse me, prepare me and give me all that I need to do your Will. Father, turn my eyes from wickedness, competitiveness and trying to 'please man'. I know that perfection only exists in You and I will stop striving for it.
Answer me when I call, relieve me of distress, be merciful to me and my family. Give me faith Lord and confirm my heart with your promises. I know you want me to earnestly seek you and I seek you with all my heart, mind, soul and body. Say your scripture memory verse and meditate on these truths: Believing, Receiving, Faith, Praying, Hoping, Humbling---they are all good for the soul. Beloved, another new week tomorrow Sister Lisa
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Week 2 Day 6
Bible study requires discipline and priority! I struggle with discipline...I get going on something and then I lose interest or I find other things to do. I constantly over schedule, overcommit and think I can do all things. Well, what to do about it? I can only do ALL things through CHRIST. That much I must remind myself of everyday, sometimes more than once a day or hour.
Are you struggling with discipline? Wonder what will happen if you commit and then slip? We are so hard on ourselves to be perfect (well, I know that I am on myself)--sometimes we don't commit or start to avoid the inevitable disappointment. What I am learning from this is that I really, really need to believe and act as if God is totally in control. I must give up my pride that I can do all things by myself, that I can be perfect.
Lord, please take this pride from me and let me know that I can commit, each day, to you. If I believe, asking from You, I will receive. Let me remember to pray on the four dimensions that we learned about Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Let me pray for others and take the focus off of me. Help me to overcome my need to control and perfect things. Let me not give-up on my dreams, my obedience, my hope in you.
Read Psalm 98:4; James 5:16; Psalm 106:1 and Ephesians 6:18. Follow the Word! Get up now, do it now, make a new day NOW! God is in control, God is Omnipresent and He will heal us, hold us and help us. Let your peace Lord, that passes all understanding, permeate my soul and my life. Let me guard my heart by hiding your Word in it and trusting that ALL things work together for good.
Praise your holy name Jesus, thank you Holy Spirit for teaching me and thank you Most High Jehovah for pulling me close to you in love and peace. Sister, Lisa
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
First Place Week 2 Day 5
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
Prayer Protection
Do you think that God just rains down things and answers from heaven upon us? Is He more like Santa Claus than a Holy and Just God? Well, lest you believe that any type or thing is for the asking we will examine other verses on prayer today that show us the proper perspective on praying God's Word and His Will!
STUDY VERSES:
1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. What do these verses say about God and prayer?
2. What condition and promise does God give to us in these verses?
3. Do you think that God's will is a limitation on your prayers?
4. Would you want God to answer every prayer from everyone without limitation? Why or why not?
5. How does Jesus' example help us with our prayer life? Will you use His example?
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Beloved, how marvelous our Father is! He has given us all we need for life and godliness in the gospel! Prayer is so freeing; thank Him that He doesn't give in to all of our immature, wicked and petulent requests. The world would be far more wicked if He did! He has all wisdom and all power and all knowledge. To pray for His will is a privilege. Seek Him first, ask believing and let His will be done. I pray for us to continue in faithfulness and to give mercy to the wicked, to forgive the unforgivable, to love the unlovable and to mke peace with those who would persecute us. Love, love love Beloved, that is the answer! Praise Him, Sister, Lisa
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
First Place Week 2 Day 4
More Than Words
Memory verse: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer." Matt 21:22
Does praying to God make you nervous? Are you reluctant to pray outloud or in a group because you don't have scripture memorized? Or you haven't attended "Bible school"? Do you have doubts about your effectiveness when praying? We all can experience fear and reluctance at times--but God tells us to "fear not"!
If you really meditate on the Word and look back at the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament along with the Apostles in the New Testament--you know what they all had in common? Not much! BUT, they all believed God. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Our Comforter and Our Teacher-let Him do His work.
My favorite prophet is Jeremiah. He is known as the Weeping Prophet. He had to deliver a very harsh message during a sinful time. When God called Jeremiah, he had no training, no faith in his ability to speak for God. Look at God's call:
The Call of Jeremiah
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,declares the Lord.”
9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down,to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah had no formal training, he was young, he was full of fear, and God asked him to deliver a harsh message about sin to a people who had abandoned and denied God. Sound familiar?
I share this with you to give you confidence! God will provide and guide. Use the power of prayer to form a relationship wtih God.
Read Romans 8:26-27 and let it sink into your heart. Know that God understands our weaknesses, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray, God hears our thoughts and longings, we can silently pray before God and He listens!
Read the following verses and write down what God promises us:
Matthew 6:8 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Now commit to your time, place, and daily promise! Be wonderful and full of peace today, Beloveds, Sister, Lisa
Monday, March 23, 2009
First Place Week 2 Day 3
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
Four Dimensions of Prayer
Do you think that prayer is merely requesting God for things? That is not what the Word tells us. There are at least four dimensions of prayer: ACTS
Adoration - Express your love to God for who He is
Confession - Seek God's forgiveness for sin in your life
Thanksgiving - Express your thanks to God for what He has done
Supplication - Seek God's answers for your need and the needs of others
STUDY VERSES:
Psalm 9:1-2
Psalm 100:4
1 John 1:9
1 John 5:14-15
STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. What do each of these verses show you about prayer?
2. How do you express your adoration to God?
3. Have you asked God for forgiveness today? Do you routinely ask Him to forgive your sins?
4. Do you keep a gratitude list, journal or prayer? If not, will you start today?
5. Do you bring needs that are not your own to God? Do you pray for more than your family? Do you pray for persecuted Christians around the world? World leaders? Oppressed people? Dying children and elderly?
Father, help me to express my love for you and my belief in you through my prayer. Guide me to a righteous and lively prayer life. Give me the discipline and strength to pray on a regular basis. You said in your Word that through prayer and fasting You will break the strongholds of sin and evil in our life. Let me develop a routine prayer life that is filled by your Holy Spirit. Praise You Jesus, Thank You Jehovah Jireh, Glory to You YAHWEH, Guide us Holy Spirit in love, obedience and patience. Until tomorrow Beloveds, Sister, lisa
Sunday, March 22, 2009
First Place Week 2 Day 2
Prayer-A Priority in Your Life
Memory Verse: If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” Mark 1:35
Jesus gives us three principles of prayer:
1. Commitment to pray
2. Time to pray
3. Place to pray
STUDY VERSES/QUESTIONS:
Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
29 v And immediately he [1] w left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now x Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and y took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or z oppressed by demons.
33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
34 a And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And b he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
STUDY QUESTIONS
Mark 1:21-34 describes what Jesus did the day before He rose to pray.
1. After reading these verses how do you think Jesus felt?
2. Are you surprised He rose early to pray after such a tough day? Would you be willing to do that?
Why or why not?
3. Jesus prayed in the morning and other times He prayed in the evening and sometimes all night. What is the best time for you to pray?
4. Jesus found a place to pray. Do you have a place to call your own? A place where you can meet the Father and be free to pray?
Make a commitment today to spend time each day in prayer. Ask yourself if you are willing to make the following commitments:
Yes/No – I commit to pray each day
Yes/No – I commit to pray at _______________ time each day for _________ minutes
Yes/No – I commit to pray in _________________room or space to be alone with God
Did you make a commitment? In my study downstairs I have an altar. I can shut the door, I have a few icons—an angel my mother gave me, four tea candles and incense, the Lord’s Prayer on a Cross and pink rose that my mom-in-law gave me and both my grandmother’s rosaries. It isn’t the icons that I pray to—it sets the ambience and takes my mind away from all the other things and people I need to finish, please, quell, etc.
I have a small cushion for my knees to rest on so I can kneel before the Lord. When my knees creak and start hurting I contemplate the Cross and the pain that Jesus felt for me and I feel that it is a joy to experience some of that pain to be thankful for all He did for me. I also kneel at night and cleanse my conscious, lift my family in prayer and think of three things for which I am grateful for that day. Sometimes it is seeing a bird, other times it is the answer to a serious request. Many times, it is for the strength to brush my teeth! Start small but stay with it and your will reap the rewards from our Most High God.
Be blessed Beloved until tomorrow, Sister, Lisa
First Place Week 2
Lord Teach Us to Pray!
Memory Verse: If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22
Prayer is one of the daily commitments anyone who walks in Christ must develop. It is vital to your spiritual health and well-being. Jesus’ disciples asked Him to help them pray and he showed them how using the “Lord’s Prayer” as a guide.
The Whole Bible is our Prayer and Our Guideline. Don’t restrict your prayer to those you may have memorized but open your heart, mind and mouth to new possibilities and miracles with God.
STUDY VERSES: What You Believe About God
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”
Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
James 1:6 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. What is the main idea of the verses above?
2. After reading these verses, list the condition and promise:
a. Matthew 21:21, 22
b. Mark 11:24
c. Mark 11:25
d. John 15:7
e. 1 John 3:21, 22
When you pray, believe and don’t doubt! Each verse affirms God promise to us. Pray with faith and confidence that your heavenly Father will see you through and wishes to prosper you. Thank God for His promises, His answer to prayer and trust and believe that He will work it all out for the good of those who seek Him. Have a blessed day Beloved, Sister, Lisa
Giving Christ First Place Week 1 Day 7
Overcoming strongholds are laid out in God’s Word. “God, you’ve said I live in the world, but do not wage war as the world does. My weapons are no the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish stronholds. I can demolish arguments and every pretension that sets iself up against the knowledge of God, and I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Thank You in advance for workin in my life. Amen
You need to identify the battlefield before you can tackle the stronghold. The enemy wages war on us constantly so we must protect where he sets himself up—that is first in our mind! Your mind is the control over your heart and soul so we must use the power of God in us rather than of this world to protect our mind, heart body and soul. Nothing is bigger or more powerful than God’s Holy Spirit in me!
Demolish every argument that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. Take your thoughts captive now for the good of God. Repeat the memory verse each day. Your journey have begun Beloved. Let us walk together in victory, harmony, unity and love.
There is no fear in love because perfect love casts our all fear. God is love! Thank Him today for His mercies, His tenderness and His love in our lives. Until Week 2 Beloved, walk with joy in your heart and mercy for others. Sister, Lisa
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Giving Christ First Place Week 1 - Day 6
HAD BLOG PROBLEMS...SO POSTING PAST FIVE STUDIES!
Giving Christ First Place
Week 1 – Day 6
In this series, the last two days of each week are spent on reflection. First, our scripture memory verse is Matthew 6:33
Can you say it for yourself? Go ahead, let God know you have hidden His Word in your heart! But…seek…ye…
So you’ve gone through five days of this study and are trying to make seeking His Kingdom a daily priority. Establishing new patterns, routines and discipline is not easy but you can do it! He is worthy to be first in your life and He wants each of us to put ourselves next so that we can let His light shine before men!
The study suggests that we pray through the scriptures—this is very powerful. It is the method Jesus used to rebuke satan and put him in his place. Jesus wants us to pray His Word, Him, back to the Mighty Jehovah.
His Word will break strongholds in your life. Addiction, poisonous thoughts, unforgiving spirit, despair, unbelief—whatever you need His Word will provide!
“Lord, help me to overcome the strongholds in my life. I long for You to be first. I want to seek first your Kingdom and Your righteousness. Thank You for your promise to give me the other things I need.
Father, when Your words come to me, help me to eat them, make them my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty.
God through the victories You give, may Christ’s glory be great. Amen”
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Week 1 Day 5
Memory Verse: But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matt 6:33
STUDY VERSES:
Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matt. 5:16 The world will see the light of the kingdom through the good works done by Jesus' disciples (and believers today), with the result that the Father who is in heaven will be glorified.
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said,“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,and to listen than the fat of rams.
1 Sam. 15:22 The Lord himself does not need sacrifices like gods in other religions. Rather, the people need to bring sacrifices in order to approach the holy God (see Leviticus 1–5). Even the best sacrifice without obedience gains nothing.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealthand with the firstfruits of all your produce;10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Prov. 3:9–10 Honor the Lord. This requires giving proper weight to your wealth by using it only for righteous, just, and equitable purposes (“in all your ways acknowledge him,” v. 6), which begins with offering the firstfruits of everything to the Lord (see Deut. 18:1–5). To give the firstfruits is to imply that the whole belongs to God, indeed the whole worshiper. The prosperity described in Prov. 3:10 is the blessing of the covenant (Deut. 28:1–14), a kind of restored Eden. Your barns will be filled with plenty is a generalization concerning the effect of honoring the Lord with all that one has and is. It is not, however, more than a generalization (as Job's comforters held), for to view this as a mechanical formula dishonors God and his inscrutable sovereign purposes.
Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Rom. 12:1 Therefore points back to the entire argument from 1:18–11:36. mercies of God. Christians are to give themselves entirely to God because of his saving grace, as shown in 3:21–11:36. Sacrificial language from the OT is used to denote the new life of Christians, and this means that the word bodies here refers to Christians as whole persons, for both body and soul belong to God. They are a living sacrifice, meaning that they are alive from the dead since they enjoy new life with Christ (6:4). “Living” also means that they will not be put to death as OT animal sacrifices were (see notes on sacrifices in Leviticus 1–7), for Christ has fulfilled what was predicted by those sacrifices. Whereas OT worship focused on offering animal sacrifices in the temple, Paul says that spiritual worship in a broad sense now includes offering one's whole life to God (cf. Heb. 13:15–16). Elsewhere, however, the NT can also use the word “worship” in a narrower sense, to speak of specific acts of adoration and praise (Matt. 2:2; John 4:20; Acts 13:2; 1 Cor. 14:25; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 11:1).
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Rom. 13:8 Verses 8–10 focus on the Christian's relationship to the Mosaic law. Owe no one anything links back to v. 7, and thus the command does not prohibit all borrowing but means that one should always “pay what is owed” (see v. 7), fulfilling whatever repayment agreements have been made. The debt one never ceases paying is the call to love one another. Indeed, love fulfills what the Mosaic law demands.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing.
1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day.
STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. Why should we let our lights shine?
2. How would you respond to someone who said, "you are so disciplined and have so much self-control"?
3. What characteristics should we have in living for Jesus?
4. Rate the following statements either Strong, Average or Weak:
I desire to know and obey God
I offer myself to God as a living sacrifice
I give to God from my material possessions
I love others on an ongoing basis
I sustain a lifestyle of prayer
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In your journal write a prayer for someone other than yourself and your immediate family. Commit to praying that prayer each day. Write down a prayer for someone who doesn't know Christ. Commit to praying for them each day. If you get the opportunity, let that person know you are lifting them up in prayer.
Lord we thank you so much for the opportunity to let our light shine with the Light of the World! We know that when the Light shines, no darkness can hide from it. Draw unto us people that need your light, give us wisdom and power to witness and share the hope we have in You Father. We pray that we live and give to honor You. Holy Spirit, we seek your wisdom and might and courage to minister to the lost and help them to hear the Word. We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God! We love you today Lord, Amen.
Let your light shine Beloved! Sister Lisa
