The New Year is rolling right along and hopefully our resolutions are keeping up with our busy schedules. I love challenges and big goals, but when your computer is slowly dieing and your internet gets all messed up..... challenge is too nice of a word! Hence - the lack of posting lately. But back to the subject of resolutions.....
It is my heart's prayer that you are into the Word of God more than ever before. If you have never read the Bible through, I beg you, at least start. I can't remember if I have mentioned it in an earlier blog or not, but we, as a family, are reading straight through the Bible together this year. We started in Genesis and will be finished with Exodus tonight.
Let me tell you - there is nothing like sex education from the Bible! We have been reading from the NIV and the questions I have gotten from my eight and eleven year olds have been rather interesting! But what a way to open up communication in our family.
To stick with our commitment of reading together as a family has not been easy, and we are still in the first month! The tv has been turned off a lot more (ptl!). We have had more dinners around the family table, and my children are really asking great questions.
How are you doing on your Bible reading? If this Bible study was in person, I would go around the room and ask each of you to share, as an accountability factor. So, instead, why don't you each pick an email buddy? Go back over the list of ladies who have joined this Bible study and email them to see if they want to hold you accountable.
Men who have been to a Promise Keepers convention are instructed to find an accountability partner and meet weekly to ask each other, openly and honestly five questions. I think we women need some of that same wisdom.
What does the Bible say about accountability? I did a search in the NIV for the word accountable. In line with the definition I am referring to, I found the verses Ezekiel 3:18, 20.
Except, what do you see as the difference between the accountability I talking about and when the verse is used in these verses?
Now read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 33. This is a summary of the Watchmen's duties. How can we relate that responsibility to our accountability to each other.
What was the watchman supposed to look for?
Who is our enemy?
According to John 8:44 and John 10:10, what does our enemy do and what is his purpose?
Again, how does our word "accountability" come into focus with these scriptures?
Ultimately we are accountable to God for all things, but what about holding our sister accountable to living a holy life. I think sometimes, we are afraid of offending someone or being judgemental to approach a friend concerning choices they are making. Yes, we must be careful, but I think Ezekiel 3 is pretty plain.
So, if we were to each have an accountability partner, what would we ask each other? I went to the Promise Keepers website (http://www.promisekeepers.org/) and found the sample of their accountability questions - questions that men ask each other. I will copy and paste this below:
(This list is excerpted from the book Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, "The Call to Sexual Purity" by John Maxwell (p. 81):)
Are you spending time alone with God?Is your thought life pure?Are you misusing your power?Are you walking in total obedience to God?Have you lied about any of the previous questions?
This list is excerpted from the books Focusing Your Men’s Ministry by Pete Richardson (pgs. 50-51) and Brothers! by Geoff Gorsuch with Dan Schaffer (pgs. 95-96):
How much time did you spend in prayer this week?
Did you pray for others in this group?
Did you put yourself in an awkward situation with a woman?
At any time did you compromise your integrity?
What one sin plagued your walk with God this week?
Did you accomplish your spiritual goals this week?
Are you giving to the Lord’s work financially?
How have you demonstrated a servant’s heart?
Do you treat your peers and coworkers as people loved by God?
What significant thing did you do for your wife and/or family?
What was your biggest disappointment? How did you decide to handle it?
What was your biggest joy? Did you thank God?
What do you see as your number one need for next week?
Are you satisfied with the time you spent with the Lord this week?
Did you take time to show compassion for others in need?
Did you control your tongue?
What did you do this week to enhance your relationship with your spouse?
Did you pray and read God’s Word this week? What did you derive from this time?
In what ways have you launched out in faith since we last met?
In what ways has God blessed you this week? And what disappointments consumed your thoughts this week?
Did you look at a woman in the wrong way?
How have you been tempted this week? How did you respond?
How has your relationship with Christ been changing?
Did you worship in church this week?
Have you shared your faith this week? How?
What are you wrestling with in your thought life?
What have you done for someone else this week?
Are the “visible“ you and the “real“ you consistent in this relationship?
I guess now my question is, would this type of accountability benefit us as Christian women to have a more Christlike life? I think so. I would like to think that I am doing everything perfectly and not struggling at all in my faith.... yeah, right! I am not the 4th person of the Trinity and neither are any of you. (sorry, but it's the truth!)
If you would like to see this more structured and user friendly, email me. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Remember, we are an interactive Bible study! :)
With a heart of worship,
Dorinda
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Spiritual Warfare - Praying the Word of God
I have spent the morning answering emails, chatting with friends, and planning my day. As my thoughts and my heart turned to my time with God, I began asking Him to give me direction on this blog and other things.
I then turned to God's Word. I was looking for a particular scripture when I passed something that I had written in the margins several years ago! It was like God was speaking directly to my spirit!
So, I want to share His Word with you today.
Psalm 149:6-9
6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD .
These verses are telling us to war with praise and the Word. These weapons will bind the enemy and carry out God's plan. There are 5 things that happen because the saints use these weapons. Do you see them? This chapter ends with "This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the Lord."
(Before we go any further, please don't just skim through these passages. Let the words sink into your heart.)
Now go with me to Isaiah 30. In all of Israel's wrongdoing, God pours out his passion for them in verse 18. He gives a wonderful promise in verse 19, and a Word to live by in verse 20 -22!
The connection between Psalm 149 and Isaiah is in Is. 30:32.
Every stroke the LORD lays on them with his punishing rod will be to the music of tambourines and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm.
Now go back to Psalm 149:6. What is to be in our hands?
One last reference. Go to Isaiah 31:8,9
"Assyria will fall by a sword that is not of man; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor. Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic," declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Assyria, the enemy, will fall by a sword that is not of man!!!!!
When you get a chance go ahead and read all of Isaiah 30 and 31. There are several promises and several what I call- "you better nots". All of God's Word is powerful and all of God's Word is profitable!
I pray you see the reality of these verses - these treasures - in your spirit man!
Please read and re-read these verses until the Truth in them hit home. I pray you all have a wonderful day as you meditate and grow in God's Word!
Love you ladies!
Dorinda
I then turned to God's Word. I was looking for a particular scripture when I passed something that I had written in the margins several years ago! It was like God was speaking directly to my spirit!
So, I want to share His Word with you today.
Psalm 149:6-9
6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD .
These verses are telling us to war with praise and the Word. These weapons will bind the enemy and carry out God's plan. There are 5 things that happen because the saints use these weapons. Do you see them? This chapter ends with "This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the Lord."
(Before we go any further, please don't just skim through these passages. Let the words sink into your heart.)
Now go with me to Isaiah 30. In all of Israel's wrongdoing, God pours out his passion for them in verse 18. He gives a wonderful promise in verse 19, and a Word to live by in verse 20 -22!
The connection between Psalm 149 and Isaiah is in Is. 30:32.
Every stroke the LORD lays on them with his punishing rod will be to the music of tambourines and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm.
Now go back to Psalm 149:6. What is to be in our hands?
One last reference. Go to Isaiah 31:8,9
"Assyria will fall by a sword that is not of man; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor. Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic," declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Assyria, the enemy, will fall by a sword that is not of man!!!!!
When you get a chance go ahead and read all of Isaiah 30 and 31. There are several promises and several what I call- "you better nots". All of God's Word is powerful and all of God's Word is profitable!
I pray you see the reality of these verses - these treasures - in your spirit man!
Please read and re-read these verses until the Truth in them hit home. I pray you all have a wonderful day as you meditate and grow in God's Word!
Love you ladies!
Dorinda
Sunday, December 30, 2007
2008 Here We Come!
Wow! Can you believe that 2007 is almost gone? It seems the older I get the faster time swooshes by me. (My kids would have a wise crack there about my age!)
As everyone is setting their thoughts towards New Year's resolutions, I want to put my two cents worth in on the subject.
Each year I have one goal that remains the same: Read the Bible in the year. That doesn't mean I always do it, but it is my goal!
If you haven't done so yet, I would like to redirect you, at this point, to my husband's blog entries for December 11, 12, and 13 on the Power of the Word of God. www.PastorRustysBlog.blogspot.com . Then I want you to consider making it a goal of yours to read through the entire Bible in 2008.
My question for each of us is this:
If every professing Christian in our nation would read the entire Word of God in 2008 what changes would take place in our lives, in our churches, in our communities, in our nation!?
Well, it starts with one. I want to be a change agent for the Kingdom of God. I want God to be able to use me more than He ever has before. I want to take the challenge of reading through the entire Bible again in 2008. Will you take it with me?
Being the "on-line" Bible study that we are, I have a resource to make it even easier for you to read through the Bible this year. (Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!) Just follow these simple steps and your daily reading passage will be emailed to you each day of the year!
1) Log on to www.studylight.org
2) Scroll down to the left hand side of the screen to the tab "Study Resources".
3) Find the one that says "Daily Reading Plan" and click.
4) To the right of that day's date there are small letters that read "Bible in a Year" by email. Click that.
5) The Bible in a Year tab is BIAY. Log in your email address and select your translation! You will need to verify with your first email to continue to receiving your scriptures. Also, add the incoming email to you address book so that your mail server will not spam it.
Is that not awesome?! I have been receiving my daily scripture reading via email for over a month now. I love it because if I don't read it, it is still sitting there in my inbox reminding me..... "You haven't read the Word yet....!"
If you skimmed through this post, please remember to go back and read Pastor Rusty's blogs for the 11th, 12th, and 13th of December. I pray it challenges you as never before to read and pray God's Word!
I wish you all a Happy New Year! May your Year bring you closer to the Savior than ever before!
May you continually:
Seek His Face- pursue and intimate relationship with the Savior
Know His Truth - gain ultimate reality about His Kingdom
Love His Word - desire passionate revelation of His Nature - and
Live His Will - daily submit to His plan and His way for your life.
Love you all!
Dorinda
As everyone is setting their thoughts towards New Year's resolutions, I want to put my two cents worth in on the subject.
Each year I have one goal that remains the same: Read the Bible in the year. That doesn't mean I always do it, but it is my goal!
If you haven't done so yet, I would like to redirect you, at this point, to my husband's blog entries for December 11, 12, and 13 on the Power of the Word of God. www.PastorRustysBlog.blogspot.com . Then I want you to consider making it a goal of yours to read through the entire Bible in 2008.
My question for each of us is this:
If every professing Christian in our nation would read the entire Word of God in 2008 what changes would take place in our lives, in our churches, in our communities, in our nation!?
Well, it starts with one. I want to be a change agent for the Kingdom of God. I want God to be able to use me more than He ever has before. I want to take the challenge of reading through the entire Bible again in 2008. Will you take it with me?
Being the "on-line" Bible study that we are, I have a resource to make it even easier for you to read through the Bible this year. (Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!) Just follow these simple steps and your daily reading passage will be emailed to you each day of the year!
1) Log on to www.studylight.org
2) Scroll down to the left hand side of the screen to the tab "Study Resources".
3) Find the one that says "Daily Reading Plan" and click.
4) To the right of that day's date there are small letters that read "Bible in a Year" by email. Click that.
5) The Bible in a Year tab is BIAY. Log in your email address and select your translation! You will need to verify with your first email to continue to receiving your scriptures. Also, add the incoming email to you address book so that your mail server will not spam it.
Is that not awesome?! I have been receiving my daily scripture reading via email for over a month now. I love it because if I don't read it, it is still sitting there in my inbox reminding me..... "You haven't read the Word yet....!"
If you skimmed through this post, please remember to go back and read Pastor Rusty's blogs for the 11th, 12th, and 13th of December. I pray it challenges you as never before to read and pray God's Word!
I wish you all a Happy New Year! May your Year bring you closer to the Savior than ever before!
May you continually:
Seek His Face- pursue and intimate relationship with the Savior
Know His Truth - gain ultimate reality about His Kingdom
Love His Word - desire passionate revelation of His Nature - and
Live His Will - daily submit to His plan and His way for your life.
Love you all!
Dorinda
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas!
It is Christmas Eve! I love this time of year! I have so much to be thankful for - and it is all because of God sending His only begotten Son to us to save us from our sins.
I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas of all. My Christmas wish for each of you is that you all know the joy and peace He brings.
If you have a chance during the holidays, post a testimony of God's faithfulness to you! I would love to hear from each of you.
For those of you who have the time for a Bible study this week, here is a short one for you to dig into:
1) John 1:1,2,14
2) Luke 2:12
What do the verses in John chapter 1 have to do with the Christmas story?
How does John 1:14 correspond with Luke 2:12?
Here is a question for you to ponder:
John 1:14 says that we beheld His glory. If Jesus did not come in all of His glory, but was clothed in humanity, how did John pen the words, " and we beheld His glory full of grace and truth"?
I love you all and wish you a wonderful Christmas day! Celebrate His birth with the wonder the miraculous!
With a heart of worship,
Dorinda
I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas of all. My Christmas wish for each of you is that you all know the joy and peace He brings.
If you have a chance during the holidays, post a testimony of God's faithfulness to you! I would love to hear from each of you.
For those of you who have the time for a Bible study this week, here is a short one for you to dig into:
1) John 1:1,2,14
2) Luke 2:12
What do the verses in John chapter 1 have to do with the Christmas story?
How does John 1:14 correspond with Luke 2:12?
Here is a question for you to ponder:
John 1:14 says that we beheld His glory. If Jesus did not come in all of His glory, but was clothed in humanity, how did John pen the words, " and we beheld His glory full of grace and truth"?
I love you all and wish you a wonderful Christmas day! Celebrate His birth with the wonder the miraculous!
With a heart of worship,
Dorinda
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Advent Season
I hope you all read some of the information on the season of Advent. In my readings I found that this liturgical celebration of full of beauty and symbolism.
The first week of advent centers around HOPE. Hope for the Messiah to come, as He did 2000 years ago, and hope for our Messiah to return, as He has promised. The cry of the prophets from the Old Testament as they were longing for the Messiah to be born should be mirrored in our longing for our Savior and Messiah to return.
The second week of advent usually centers around PEACE. The peace that Messiah ushered in as He, the Son of God was born as the Son of man, is ours because He came.
The third week of advent is JOY. Joy that we have a Messiah. Joy that He is our Savior! Joy that He has promised to return!
The fourth week of advent concentrates on the LOVE He brings. The advent season ends on Christmas Eve as the final candle is lit to focus on Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
If you would like an even more in depth study, I found a resource I am comfortable giving to you for your devotions with your family at home. Please go to: http://sbcommunity.org/life/pdf/advent_study.pdf
This week in our studies, I want us to examine our life and our traditions during the beautiful holiday season.
Do we focus on material things or is everything we are doing pointing our families to Christ?
Are we so busy and so hectic that Christmas joy is Christmas stress?
Do we point out to our children the wonderful hope of our coming Savior? Is the fact that we celebrate His birth enough? Or -is there a way to also emphasize His soon return?
I believe the Avent celebrations, although not a Biblical mandate, are a beautiful way for us to focus on the deep spiritual richness of Christmas.
I encourage you, if you do nothing else on the Bible study to go to the website listed above, print the study, and highlight some things you want to share with your family.
May the Christ of Christmas fill your hearts and flood your soul with His peace!
Love ya!
Dorinda
The first week of advent centers around HOPE. Hope for the Messiah to come, as He did 2000 years ago, and hope for our Messiah to return, as He has promised. The cry of the prophets from the Old Testament as they were longing for the Messiah to be born should be mirrored in our longing for our Savior and Messiah to return.
The second week of advent usually centers around PEACE. The peace that Messiah ushered in as He, the Son of God was born as the Son of man, is ours because He came.
The third week of advent is JOY. Joy that we have a Messiah. Joy that He is our Savior! Joy that He has promised to return!
The fourth week of advent concentrates on the LOVE He brings. The advent season ends on Christmas Eve as the final candle is lit to focus on Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
If you would like an even more in depth study, I found a resource I am comfortable giving to you for your devotions with your family at home. Please go to: http://sbcommunity.org/life/pdf/advent_study.pdf
This week in our studies, I want us to examine our life and our traditions during the beautiful holiday season.
Do we focus on material things or is everything we are doing pointing our families to Christ?
Are we so busy and so hectic that Christmas joy is Christmas stress?
Do we point out to our children the wonderful hope of our coming Savior? Is the fact that we celebrate His birth enough? Or -is there a way to also emphasize His soon return?
I believe the Avent celebrations, although not a Biblical mandate, are a beautiful way for us to focus on the deep spiritual richness of Christmas.
I encourage you, if you do nothing else on the Bible study to go to the website listed above, print the study, and highlight some things you want to share with your family.
May the Christ of Christmas fill your hearts and flood your soul with His peace!
Love ya!
Dorinda
Friday, December 7, 2007
What on earth is Advent?
Okay. I know this was a different post, but I haven't heard from you guys.
So, let me know. Have you ever heard of advent? Have you ever celebrated in a traditional advent service?
Do you know what the four Sundays and colors and candles of Advent represent?
Just curious.......
Love ya!
Dorinda
So, let me know. Have you ever heard of advent? Have you ever celebrated in a traditional advent service?
Do you know what the four Sundays and colors and candles of Advent represent?
Just curious.......
Love ya!
Dorinda
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tis the Season!
I absolutely love this time of year! With all of its craziness, rushing and hectic schedules, I love it!!
Why? I can't put it in just a few words. I guess it is all that the season means and the joy it brings when we focus on the real reason for this season.
So, for the next few weeks, we will take a break from our "Lord, Help Me I'm Human" Bible study and focus on Christmas.
Advent is a beautiful liturgical celebration of the coming of Christ. For those of us raised in good old Assembly of God churches, we might have missed the ceremonial aspect of this beautiful worship experience. Until after Christmas we are going to look at the four candles in the advent wreath, what they mean to our Christian walk and inspection into God's Word on this subject.
I am going to take this study in small steps, rather than one each week. The reason being is that I am not up on my advent "stuff" and will research sites and scriptures and pass them along as I find them.
So, for the first leg of our study, please go to www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html. Now, please be aware that if I send you to these sites, it does not mean that I agree with their doctrine, practices or basic Biblical views. I will be referring to a few places because of their historical and research information on advent.
1.) Review the information at www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html (This is from a Protestant perspective.)
2.) Another look at from a Catholic perspective is www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/index.html
3.) Begin to look at your Christmas traditions at home. Do they prepare your heart and the hearts of your family for the coming of Christ?
4.) Is there something you can change in how you celebrate this beautiful season to make your family and especially your children and/or grandchildren be more in love with the Christ of Christmas?
Later on this week, I will post a survey on Christmas traditions. Maybe we can encourage each other to have the most beautiful and spirit filled Christmas ever!
Merry Christmas!
Dorinda
Why? I can't put it in just a few words. I guess it is all that the season means and the joy it brings when we focus on the real reason for this season.
So, for the next few weeks, we will take a break from our "Lord, Help Me I'm Human" Bible study and focus on Christmas.
Advent is a beautiful liturgical celebration of the coming of Christ. For those of us raised in good old Assembly of God churches, we might have missed the ceremonial aspect of this beautiful worship experience. Until after Christmas we are going to look at the four candles in the advent wreath, what they mean to our Christian walk and inspection into God's Word on this subject.
I am going to take this study in small steps, rather than one each week. The reason being is that I am not up on my advent "stuff" and will research sites and scriptures and pass them along as I find them.
So, for the first leg of our study, please go to www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html. Now, please be aware that if I send you to these sites, it does not mean that I agree with their doctrine, practices or basic Biblical views. I will be referring to a few places because of their historical and research information on advent.
1.) Review the information at www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html (This is from a Protestant perspective.)
2.) Another look at from a Catholic perspective is www.cptryon.org/prayer/adx/index.html
3.) Begin to look at your Christmas traditions at home. Do they prepare your heart and the hearts of your family for the coming of Christ?
4.) Is there something you can change in how you celebrate this beautiful season to make your family and especially your children and/or grandchildren be more in love with the Christ of Christmas?
Later on this week, I will post a survey on Christmas traditions. Maybe we can encourage each other to have the most beautiful and spirit filled Christmas ever!
Merry Christmas!
Dorinda
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Power of a Thankful Heart
I am sitting in my living room. My family is all around me. It is cold and wet outside and the logs of the cozy fire are crackling in the fireplace. My heart is full of thanks to my Savior for the many blessings I have been given. After a week of family togetherness of laughing hysterically at the dinner table, playing card games and rooting on our beloved Razorbacks, I can't help but feel those warm fuzzies inside. I have so much to be thankful for and I never want to take for granted the happiness and comfort of my life.
After doing the Bible study for last Monday (which I couldn't post until today), I noticed some things in God's Word about a thankful heart and looked at my own past experiences and decided a "thankful heart" is a very powerful thing.
How is a Thankful heart powerful? When we begin to recount the things we have to be thankful for a positive change takes place. We begin to focus on blessings rather than complaints. We begin to see God's hand at work in out lives. We realize that all of the good we have is not from our hands!
You have heard the phrase "attitude of gratitude". Well, when we begin to give thanks for things, our attitude is shifted. Our attitude is one then that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
When I did last week's treasure dig for the word "thankful", I chose the Contemporary English version in studylight. The verses that stood out to me are Psalm 22:26, and Psalm 50:14 and 23.
Psalm 22:26 says that those who are thankful will live in hope! Wow! That's is pretty powerful.
Psalm 50:14 says that God doesn't want a bunch of sacrifices other than that of a heart of thanksgiving and verse 23 says that when we are thankful God will show His power and save!
So, as the Thanksgiving holiday has passed us, let's not stop giving thanks for all the He has done for us! Oh my goodness, we are so blessed! Let us determine that we will thank God for His goodness and His blessings as well as accept adversity and trials - all with a heart of thanksgiving.
Ok. My post question for this fun part of the Bible study is this:
What are you most thankful for? List them in categories.
Spiritual
Material
Relational
Emotional
Whimsical
To get you going here are my answers:
I am most thankful for:
Spiritual - God's saving Grace through His Son Jesus Christ. The song by Avalon- "Can't Live a Day Without You" is my theme song in life! I am so thankful to know that I have an eternity with the Lover of my soul!
Material - I guess my home. I love my cozy old house- even with it's "blueness". Ha! I love the fireplace and the big rooms - and I am thankful that I have a house that needs new carpet and new bathtubs and new lighting..... ha! It has its problems, but I love it! Oh! A very close second thing I am thankful for is my job! I love going to work! I love using the things God has given me for ministry.
Relational - This is easy- My wonderful, adorable, Godly, and very handsome husband! He is the love of my life, my best friend, my soul mate, my priest, provider, and protector! I am so madly in love with him! Also - my four wonderful children! (I love my life!)
Emotional - I am very thankful for a wonderful childhood with 2 awesome parents that gave me security and love.
Whimsical - Fun times! Being able to laugh at myself (that really comes in handy when you are an airhead klutz!) I am thankful when I can remember where my shoes are and where my keys are. I am thankful that I can go to bed and sleep even if my house is a wreck! M&Ms and Chocolate!!!!!! and Diet Coke!
Okay - bare your soul and share what you are most thankful for! I want to hear from ALL of you!
Have a great day! I love you all! (Don't forget to do the Bible study - Dig for Treasure!)
Dorinda
After doing the Bible study for last Monday (which I couldn't post until today), I noticed some things in God's Word about a thankful heart and looked at my own past experiences and decided a "thankful heart" is a very powerful thing.
How is a Thankful heart powerful? When we begin to recount the things we have to be thankful for a positive change takes place. We begin to focus on blessings rather than complaints. We begin to see God's hand at work in out lives. We realize that all of the good we have is not from our hands!
You have heard the phrase "attitude of gratitude". Well, when we begin to give thanks for things, our attitude is shifted. Our attitude is one then that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
When I did last week's treasure dig for the word "thankful", I chose the Contemporary English version in studylight. The verses that stood out to me are Psalm 22:26, and Psalm 50:14 and 23.
Psalm 22:26 says that those who are thankful will live in hope! Wow! That's is pretty powerful.
Psalm 50:14 says that God doesn't want a bunch of sacrifices other than that of a heart of thanksgiving and verse 23 says that when we are thankful God will show His power and save!
So, as the Thanksgiving holiday has passed us, let's not stop giving thanks for all the He has done for us! Oh my goodness, we are so blessed! Let us determine that we will thank God for His goodness and His blessings as well as accept adversity and trials - all with a heart of thanksgiving.
Ok. My post question for this fun part of the Bible study is this:
What are you most thankful for? List them in categories.
Spiritual
Material
Relational
Emotional
Whimsical
To get you going here are my answers:
I am most thankful for:
Spiritual - God's saving Grace through His Son Jesus Christ. The song by Avalon- "Can't Live a Day Without You" is my theme song in life! I am so thankful to know that I have an eternity with the Lover of my soul!
Material - I guess my home. I love my cozy old house- even with it's "blueness". Ha! I love the fireplace and the big rooms - and I am thankful that I have a house that needs new carpet and new bathtubs and new lighting..... ha! It has its problems, but I love it! Oh! A very close second thing I am thankful for is my job! I love going to work! I love using the things God has given me for ministry.
Relational - This is easy- My wonderful, adorable, Godly, and very handsome husband! He is the love of my life, my best friend, my soul mate, my priest, provider, and protector! I am so madly in love with him! Also - my four wonderful children! (I love my life!)
Emotional - I am very thankful for a wonderful childhood with 2 awesome parents that gave me security and love.
Whimsical - Fun times! Being able to laugh at myself (that really comes in handy when you are an airhead klutz!) I am thankful when I can remember where my shoes are and where my keys are. I am thankful that I can go to bed and sleep even if my house is a wreck! M&Ms and Chocolate!!!!!! and Diet Coke!
Okay - bare your soul and share what you are most thankful for! I want to hear from ALL of you!
Have a great day! I love you all! (Don't forget to do the Bible study - Dig for Treasure!)
Dorinda
A Thankful Heart
Philippians 4:6-8
The Message Bible
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Since Thanksgiving is upon us, I want us to look at what God’s Word says about the subject.
I am sitting in our condo in Branson, without internet and having to do this Bible study the old fashioned way….. (I am having to crucify my flesh many times over on this one! Ha!) My kids and grandkids are all around me having a blast and my heart is full of thanks. I have been contemplating this word and it’s meaning – Thanksgiving. Looking back at the experiences of my own life, I can see where having a thankful heart is a very powerful thing. So began my search for what the Bible says.
Our scripture above is from Philippians 4:6-8. Why don’t you take a few minutes and read this scripture in several translations? In the NIV you will see the word thanksgiving used in verse 6.
Using your online tools with studylight.org find the original Greek meaning for the word used in verse 6 – thanksgiving.
Next, go to Webster’s Dictionary online (I think it is websters-merriam) and find the English definition of thankful, thanksgiving, and thanks.
Is there a difference in our English definition and the original Greek word?
Now let’s use an Old Testament verse and see what we find.
Go to Psalm 107:22 and find the Hebrew word used for thanksgiving.
Why would the psalmist call it the sacrifices of thanksgiving?
Here is a challenge treasure hunt for you.
You can use study light or your e-sword resource. Pull up every verse in the Bible that has thanksgiving, thankful, or thanks in it. Try to find all the different Hebrew words used for those words and the original meaning.
How many words did you find? And what did they mean?
Sometime next week, I will post my thoughts on Thanksgiving and the Hebrew words. But in the mean time, I hope you ponder Philippians 4 in your heart and memorize this word.
I love the way the Message Bible phrases this powerful verse. According to this verse in the Message Bible, what happens when you have a thankful heart?
I pray you all have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! May we all look around us and see all that we have to be appreciative of. God is so good and His mercy endures forever!
I am thankful for each of you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love you all!
Dorinda
The Message Bible
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Since Thanksgiving is upon us, I want us to look at what God’s Word says about the subject.
I am sitting in our condo in Branson, without internet and having to do this Bible study the old fashioned way….. (I am having to crucify my flesh many times over on this one! Ha!) My kids and grandkids are all around me having a blast and my heart is full of thanks. I have been contemplating this word and it’s meaning – Thanksgiving. Looking back at the experiences of my own life, I can see where having a thankful heart is a very powerful thing. So began my search for what the Bible says.
Our scripture above is from Philippians 4:6-8. Why don’t you take a few minutes and read this scripture in several translations? In the NIV you will see the word thanksgiving used in verse 6.
Using your online tools with studylight.org find the original Greek meaning for the word used in verse 6 – thanksgiving.
Next, go to Webster’s Dictionary online (I think it is websters-merriam) and find the English definition of thankful, thanksgiving, and thanks.
Is there a difference in our English definition and the original Greek word?
Now let’s use an Old Testament verse and see what we find.
Go to Psalm 107:22 and find the Hebrew word used for thanksgiving.
Why would the psalmist call it the sacrifices of thanksgiving?
Here is a challenge treasure hunt for you.
You can use study light or your e-sword resource. Pull up every verse in the Bible that has thanksgiving, thankful, or thanks in it. Try to find all the different Hebrew words used for those words and the original meaning.
How many words did you find? And what did they mean?
Sometime next week, I will post my thoughts on Thanksgiving and the Hebrew words. But in the mean time, I hope you ponder Philippians 4 in your heart and memorize this word.
I love the way the Message Bible phrases this powerful verse. According to this verse in the Message Bible, what happens when you have a thankful heart?
I pray you all have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! May we all look around us and see all that we have to be appreciative of. God is so good and His mercy endures forever!
I am thankful for each of you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love you all!
Dorinda
Monday, November 12, 2007
Fun Comment Day
Okay Girls. As you all are working on last week's Bible Study - I know you are - here are some thoughts to hopefully spur some fun discussion for the week.
As we enter into the wonderful holiday season, I can't help but think back on seasons past and all of the fun times I had as a kid growing up.
I want you to think about the most fun and/or memorable Thanksgiving you have had and share that with us. Let us all be thankful together for the goodness and mercies of our Awesome God!
Thanksgiving Memories
Well, I have lots of wonderful and even humorous Thanksgiving Memories. Of course, at my age, memories begin to run together and I wonder if that happened at Christmas, Thanksgiving, or in my dreams! ha!
I guess my most memorable Thanksgiving started out as a sad one. It was 24 years ago, right before Rusty and I got married in December. Because we were getting married during Christmas break of college, we had to both work through the Thanksgiving holiday. We were bummed- we had never fathomed a holiday away from our parents. We were students at Central Bible College in Springfield and madly in love.
We decided we would make the best of our first holiday away from home. I remember getting up in the eerily quiet dorm on Thursday. It felt and sounded like a ghost hall. I called Rusty's dorm and we made our plans for the day. We would meet for lunch wherever we could find an open restaurant and fill our day with play and study before we had to report to work.
Not only was our college campus empty and quiet, but the streets of Springfield were strangely void of traffic. It felt like we were in a sci-fi movie where aliens had abducted everyone.....
We finally found a restaurant open serving the traditional Thanksgiving day meal. We walked in to the most crowded and loudest place we had seen so far. There, other lone stragglers gathered to celebrate a holiday and hide the lonliness everyone had to feel. We ordered our turkey and dressing. Our meager meal was served and I know we both thought about our mom's and grandmother's meals they were serving. What we had before us could never compare. Once again self-pity engulfed me.
I remember Rusty taking my hand and praying over our meal. At that moment, as he prayed for all of our Thanksgivings to come, I knew how thankful and blessed I really was. I had been in the "mullygrubbs" for not getting to celebrate the way that I was accustomed to, but suddenly I saw a wonderful future ahead of me- a future full of Thanksgivings, Christmases, and other holidays with the man of my dreams - the love of my life.
From that moment on the day was magical. We ate, laughed, and went to the park and played football with some other "left behind" students. I guess that was our first time to be our "new family" in our hearts- if that makes sense. We missed like crazy our traditional time with our parents and siblings, but we were in love and were together.
So, share your most memorable Thanksgiving! Funny, sad, silly.... whatever. Gives us your thoughts!
Love ya all! (and I am waiting on you gals to post from the Bible Study!)
Dorinda
As we enter into the wonderful holiday season, I can't help but think back on seasons past and all of the fun times I had as a kid growing up.
I want you to think about the most fun and/or memorable Thanksgiving you have had and share that with us. Let us all be thankful together for the goodness and mercies of our Awesome God!
Thanksgiving Memories
Well, I have lots of wonderful and even humorous Thanksgiving Memories. Of course, at my age, memories begin to run together and I wonder if that happened at Christmas, Thanksgiving, or in my dreams! ha!
I guess my most memorable Thanksgiving started out as a sad one. It was 24 years ago, right before Rusty and I got married in December. Because we were getting married during Christmas break of college, we had to both work through the Thanksgiving holiday. We were bummed- we had never fathomed a holiday away from our parents. We were students at Central Bible College in Springfield and madly in love.
We decided we would make the best of our first holiday away from home. I remember getting up in the eerily quiet dorm on Thursday. It felt and sounded like a ghost hall. I called Rusty's dorm and we made our plans for the day. We would meet for lunch wherever we could find an open restaurant and fill our day with play and study before we had to report to work.
Not only was our college campus empty and quiet, but the streets of Springfield were strangely void of traffic. It felt like we were in a sci-fi movie where aliens had abducted everyone.....
We finally found a restaurant open serving the traditional Thanksgiving day meal. We walked in to the most crowded and loudest place we had seen so far. There, other lone stragglers gathered to celebrate a holiday and hide the lonliness everyone had to feel. We ordered our turkey and dressing. Our meager meal was served and I know we both thought about our mom's and grandmother's meals they were serving. What we had before us could never compare. Once again self-pity engulfed me.
I remember Rusty taking my hand and praying over our meal. At that moment, as he prayed for all of our Thanksgivings to come, I knew how thankful and blessed I really was. I had been in the "mullygrubbs" for not getting to celebrate the way that I was accustomed to, but suddenly I saw a wonderful future ahead of me- a future full of Thanksgivings, Christmases, and other holidays with the man of my dreams - the love of my life.
From that moment on the day was magical. We ate, laughed, and went to the park and played football with some other "left behind" students. I guess that was our first time to be our "new family" in our hearts- if that makes sense. We missed like crazy our traditional time with our parents and siblings, but we were in love and were together.
So, share your most memorable Thanksgiving! Funny, sad, silly.... whatever. Gives us your thoughts!
Love ya all! (and I am waiting on you gals to post from the Bible Study!)
Dorinda
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Made in His Image - Body, Soul, and Spirit
Good morning Ladies!
I hope you are all doing well on this beautiful day!
We have had a couple of weeks break and I am chomping at the bits to get back into our Bible study full swing. I hope you are also.
We have been looking at different issues we face with being human- basically struggling with our humanity while serving our Savior. Last time we looked at the word "trust". I haven't heard from all of you on that one, but I hope you have given it some thought and done the scripture search on it.
The next two weeks we are going to look a little more in depth at our tri-partite beings and the struggles we face. Before we go any further, it would really help to make sure you have completed the Bible study from October 1st, on looking at our sinful nature. Here is a link to that page to refresh your memory:
http://findingtreasureinjarsofclay.blogspot.com/2007/10/bible-study-our-sinful-nature.html
One of the greatest "revelations" for me in my Christian walk was when I gained an understanding of how God made me (all humans) and how to gain victory over my unChristlike desires. That is what we will be looking at this week.
How God Made Us
This Bible study is so simple, yet can be so revolutionary to our thinking. I pray that you have an enlightening from the Holy Spirit on this subject. I know many of you have heard Pastor Rusty preach a sermon series on this, but I need to make sure we are all on the same page.
We are made in His image a tri-partite being- Body, Soul, and Spirit.
The part that I want to bring together is the fact that we struggle with our "flesh" or the desires that our body has, but we control those desires through our soul - our will. We also struggle with our "flesh" through innate desires -and again we control those through our will.
Let's take a basic "sin" and look at it for a moment. Galatians 5:19 lists several. Drunkeness is one. Through the sense of taste the body "drinks" an alcoholic beverage and becomes drunk. If the person enjoys the taste and likes it and the "buzz", a "desire" is born. But the spirit of man, the conscious, says losing control is not good. Our soul man thinks about what his conscience is telling him, has an emotion about it (positive or negative) and makes a choice to drink again or not. It is our will that is in our soul that sets us apart. God has given us a free will to choose serving Him and His ways or not. We are in control of what we choose.
Now think about this for a moment- we are born with a carnal nature- a sinful nature. We don't teach our children to lie or disobey. They do those "sinful" things naturally. We have to teach them to tell the truth and to obey, etc. Those "sins" come from our fleshly desires.
Keeping all of this in mind, let's go to our next study passage: 1 John 2:15 - 17 and Genesis 3:1-19. Research the meanings of the original Greek and Hebrew using your studylight reference tool. (http://www.studylight.org/ - use the KJV with Strong's numbers, then click on the word(s) you need.)
Looking at the two texts listed, place the following phrases into the proper category below. (It is my natural tendency to just put it out here for you, but I want you to "dig" this out for yourself.)
Phrases from 1 John 2:
(NIV) "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has
and does"
Phrases from Genesis 2:6:
(NIV) "saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom..."
1 John 2; Genesis 2
Body World Conscious
Soul Self Conscious
Spirit God Conscious
I know this week is a different study, but I want you each to be able to draw the conclusions from God's Word yourself, rather than me telling you. The truths in this lesson are a great tool for you to gain victory over your flesh. I pray that as we complete the next couple of lessons, that all of this will make sense and come together for you as it has in my life.
Please feel free to email me personally if you have any questions at dorindablannwm@yahoo.com
Remember - you guys voted to have the Bible study every other week. On the off weeks, I will try to post something fun. Usually posts are made on Mondays or Tuesdays. (This week was a little late because I am getting old and have been quite under the weather.) POST POST POST!!! I want to hear from you! And if you have to post anonymously- don't forget to put your name so we will know who it is from.
Love you all!
Dorinda
I hope you are all doing well on this beautiful day!
We have had a couple of weeks break and I am chomping at the bits to get back into our Bible study full swing. I hope you are also.
We have been looking at different issues we face with being human- basically struggling with our humanity while serving our Savior. Last time we looked at the word "trust". I haven't heard from all of you on that one, but I hope you have given it some thought and done the scripture search on it.
The next two weeks we are going to look a little more in depth at our tri-partite beings and the struggles we face. Before we go any further, it would really help to make sure you have completed the Bible study from October 1st, on looking at our sinful nature. Here is a link to that page to refresh your memory:
http://findingtreasureinjarsofclay.blogspot.com/2007/10/bible-study-our-sinful-nature.html
One of the greatest "revelations" for me in my Christian walk was when I gained an understanding of how God made me (all humans) and how to gain victory over my unChristlike desires. That is what we will be looking at this week.
How God Made Us
- Genesis tells us that we are made in His image. (Genesis 1:26) Notice it says, "Let US".
- Use your studylight.org reference tool and check out the word used for God in that verse.
- Now go to 1 Thessalonians 5:23. This is a classic verse that references HOW, we as humans, are made in God's image. We saw in Genesis 1 that the word "elohim" was the plural form of God, used when God is speaking of the fullness of the Godhead - the trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
This Bible study is so simple, yet can be so revolutionary to our thinking. I pray that you have an enlightening from the Holy Spirit on this subject. I know many of you have heard Pastor Rusty preach a sermon series on this, but I need to make sure we are all on the same page.
We are made in His image a tri-partite being- Body, Soul, and Spirit.
- Our body, through our senses (sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell), is world conscious.
- Our soul, through our thoughts, feelings, and will is self conscious.
- Our spirit is God conscious through our conscience and convictions.
The part that I want to bring together is the fact that we struggle with our "flesh" or the desires that our body has, but we control those desires through our soul - our will. We also struggle with our "flesh" through innate desires -and again we control those through our will.
Let's take a basic "sin" and look at it for a moment. Galatians 5:19 lists several. Drunkeness is one. Through the sense of taste the body "drinks" an alcoholic beverage and becomes drunk. If the person enjoys the taste and likes it and the "buzz", a "desire" is born. But the spirit of man, the conscious, says losing control is not good. Our soul man thinks about what his conscience is telling him, has an emotion about it (positive or negative) and makes a choice to drink again or not. It is our will that is in our soul that sets us apart. God has given us a free will to choose serving Him and His ways or not. We are in control of what we choose.
Now think about this for a moment- we are born with a carnal nature- a sinful nature. We don't teach our children to lie or disobey. They do those "sinful" things naturally. We have to teach them to tell the truth and to obey, etc. Those "sins" come from our fleshly desires.
Keeping all of this in mind, let's go to our next study passage: 1 John 2:15 - 17 and Genesis 3:1-19. Research the meanings of the original Greek and Hebrew using your studylight reference tool. (http://www.studylight.org/ - use the KJV with Strong's numbers, then click on the word(s) you need.)
Looking at the two texts listed, place the following phrases into the proper category below. (It is my natural tendency to just put it out here for you, but I want you to "dig" this out for yourself.)
Phrases from 1 John 2:
(NIV) "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has
and does"
Phrases from Genesis 2:6:
(NIV) "saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom..."
1 John 2; Genesis 2
Body World Conscious
Soul Self Conscious
Spirit God Conscious
(If you are on my email list, I will send a word document with the chart in it. I think that may make a little more sense. I can't get the chart to post correctly in the blog.)
With this chart that you just made, any sin and any temptation can be placed into one of these categories. Is it a sin of base fleshly desires? Is it a sin of pride and arrogance? Or is it a sin against the knowledge of God, of rebellion?
Here are your life application questions: (You do not have to post your answers, but please make some kind of post when you are finished.)
1) List three areas in your life that you continually struggle with.
2) Under what part of your humanity do each of those struggles fall- body, soul, or spirit?
3) Do you feel that any of these struggles would be considered by God as a "love for the world"?
4) What does 1 John 2:17 mean to you?
For those of you who complete these studies easily and quickly, here are some challenge questions and a sneak preview into November 19th's study:
Here are your life application questions: (You do not have to post your answers, but please make some kind of post when you are finished.)
1) List three areas in your life that you continually struggle with.
2) Under what part of your humanity do each of those struggles fall- body, soul, or spirit?
3) Do you feel that any of these struggles would be considered by God as a "love for the world"?
4) What does 1 John 2:17 mean to you?
For those of you who complete these studies easily and quickly, here are some challenge questions and a sneak preview into November 19th's study:
- Read Isaiah 53:4-7 Place those into our chart above.
- Find other 3s in the Bible that can be placed in our Body, Soul, and Spirit chart.
I know this week is a different study, but I want you each to be able to draw the conclusions from God's Word yourself, rather than me telling you. The truths in this lesson are a great tool for you to gain victory over your flesh. I pray that as we complete the next couple of lessons, that all of this will make sense and come together for you as it has in my life.
Please feel free to email me personally if you have any questions at dorindablannwm@yahoo.com
Remember - you guys voted to have the Bible study every other week. On the off weeks, I will try to post something fun. Usually posts are made on Mondays or Tuesdays. (This week was a little late because I am getting old and have been quite under the weather.) POST POST POST!!! I want to hear from you! And if you have to post anonymously- don't forget to put your name so we will know who it is from.
Love you all!
Dorinda
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
This Weeks Bible Study
Hey Ladies!
I am still working on this week's study. It has been a very difficult one to put into words. I have been working on it for 2 weeks, and still struggling for the exact terminology. The topic this week is the central part of this whole unit on "Lord Help Me, I'm Human". So, I want the message to be clear and insightful.
If you are caught up and waiting on what is coming next, please re-read Romans 6, 7, and 8. If you are not caught up, please make sure you do the study on October 1st.
As always, it helps me gauge where you are when you post your answers.
Love ya all dearly!
Dorinda
I am still working on this week's study. It has been a very difficult one to put into words. I have been working on it for 2 weeks, and still struggling for the exact terminology. The topic this week is the central part of this whole unit on "Lord Help Me, I'm Human". So, I want the message to be clear and insightful.
If you are caught up and waiting on what is coming next, please re-read Romans 6, 7, and 8. If you are not caught up, please make sure you do the study on October 1st.
As always, it helps me gauge where you are when you post your answers.
Love ya all dearly!
Dorinda
Friday, October 19, 2007
Trust.
I entitled this blog Trust. The period end mark is there for emphasis.
Trust is such a simple, little word. With it, a child walks through life confidently and unscathed. Without it, the strongest man will be crippled and withered emotionally.
Webster defines trust as
Trust.
Trust is such a simple, little word. With it, a child walks through life confidently and unscathed. Without it, the strongest man will be crippled and withered emotionally.
Webster defines trust as
1 a: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of
someone or something.My favorite scripture in God's Word is Psalm 25:1,2. "To you O, Lord, do I lift up my soul. In you I trust, O, my God. Let me not be ashamed. Let not my enemies triumph over me." David was in a situation where he proclaimed through music his trust in God.
If you go to studylight.org and study this verse out, you will see what the "soul" of man is all about.
soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man ,living being, living being (with life in the blood), the man himself, self, person or individual, seat of the appetites, seat of emotions and passions
activity of mind, activity of the will, activity of the character.In Sunday school classes I have taught that the soul is man's awareness of himself as opposed to the spirit being God conscience and the body being world conscience. It is in the soul - our emotions, our will, and our intellect - that we battle the flesh as mentioned in Romans 6, 7, and 8.
So, with all of the above in mind, the psalmist says, "To you O Lord, I lift up my soul." He, David, gave up everything that was about David. His thoughts, his desires, his feelings, his emotions, even his will, he surrendered to God. When he did that, he was able to pen the next phrase, "in you I trust, O, my God. And there is that simple little word, trust.
Trust.
When we really trust someone, we trust their nature, their character, their words,and even their intentions. Hmmmmm. That is profound isn't it? I trust my husband. I am safe with him. He loves me more than he loves himself. But more than even that, I trust God. It doesn't always come easy, just like I mentioned in my last blog about Taylor. But when we daily lift up our soul to God - our thoughts, our feelings, and our wills,- then we can trust God's nature, His character, His Words and even His intentions and plans for our life.
I could go on, but I am going to stop there and ask you to do a word search on the word "trust". You can do it in any translation you like and then find the original Greek and Hebrew word used. Just take about 10 of the verses you found and look at them. What was the writer referring to when the word trust was used? What was the situation that required trust in God? Was there anything else that stands out to you about the word trust in these scriptures?
Simply trust. Sometimes we have to learn it. Sometimes we have to just do it. Sometimes we must die to our self in order to trust.
What about you?
Trust Him.
dorinda
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Even if God Chooses Not to Heal - Will You Serve Him?
In Loveing We Die, In Dying We Live
Hey Girls!
I pray each of you are enjoying the blessings of God today!
As we get ready for another Bible study, I challenge you to pick up your shovels and get ready to dig in to find the treasure in God's Word.
We have been studying about our fleshly nature or our carnal selves. I haven't heard back from many of you, so I hope you have completed that assignment. The whole point of our previous lesson was for each of us to understand that the Word of God says to "die to our self" and our desires.
The power of salvation comes through death. Jesus died so that we might have life. When we die to ourselves, we then can accept the life Jesus offers us and live an abundant life eternally.
I am not so sure if today is going to come out as a Bible study or a devotion, but I have things on my heart that I want to share.
I read a series of books by Ted Dekker (who by the way is my most favorite author of all times) called the Martyr series. The theme throughout the three books is- "In loving we die and in dying we live." The characters learn that when you truly love someone, you are willing to die for them, and it is at that moment -when you are willing to die for someone else, that you really begin to live."
It is very simple, yet very profound - and at the same time, hard to live out in every day life. Our affluent and self-centered culture can consume our lives. If we are not careful, we will buy into the philosophy that preaches material gain and daily comfort. But, what does God's Word say about trials and persecutions?
Hey Girls!
I pray each of you are enjoying the blessings of God today!
As we get ready for another Bible study, I challenge you to pick up your shovels and get ready to dig in to find the treasure in God's Word.
We have been studying about our fleshly nature or our carnal selves. I haven't heard back from many of you, so I hope you have completed that assignment. The whole point of our previous lesson was for each of us to understand that the Word of God says to "die to our self" and our desires.
The power of salvation comes through death. Jesus died so that we might have life. When we die to ourselves, we then can accept the life Jesus offers us and live an abundant life eternally.
I am not so sure if today is going to come out as a Bible study or a devotion, but I have things on my heart that I want to share.
I read a series of books by Ted Dekker (who by the way is my most favorite author of all times) called the Martyr series. The theme throughout the three books is- "In loving we die and in dying we live." The characters learn that when you truly love someone, you are willing to die for them, and it is at that moment -when you are willing to die for someone else, that you really begin to live."
It is very simple, yet very profound - and at the same time, hard to live out in every day life. Our affluent and self-centered culture can consume our lives. If we are not careful, we will buy into the philosophy that preaches material gain and daily comfort. But, what does God's Word say about trials and persecutions?
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:2; Hebrews 11; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 4:12; and 2 Timothy 3:12.
I don't know how to say what is on my heart without sharing this personal story, so please bear with me. Most of you know the story of Taylor's birth, but for the sake of those who do not know, please allow me to briefly summarize.
I was 29 weeks into my pregnancy. Because Mackenzie had been premature and because I was over 35, I was in the weekly office visit stage. I weighed in and had gained 14 pounds in 6 days! They immediately scheduled an ultra sound to investigate. Literally 5 seconds into the ultra sound, they sent me to the hospital because of the mass amount of fluid in my womb and in Taylor's abdomen.
To make a long story short, Taylor was not expected to live. We had to make the decision to allow them to treat her in the womb or to induce labor and let them try to treat her out of the womb. After prayer we felt God wanted to her out of my womb so they could work on her. The doctor's words echoed in our head, "Your baby will die whether we treat her in the womb or induce labor. The was no chance of a live birth."
My unborn child was going to die??? I would never see her smile. Never hear her laugh. I would never know what her voice would sound like. I would never take her to her first day of school? Never buy her a pretty dress for a special day? The room begin to spin and I reached for Rusty's hand. It was trembling. I looked in his eyes and saw the heartbreaking pain. The doctor left the room for us to have a few minutes. We clung to each other as if we were about to fall off of a cliff, both trying hard to be brave for the other one. We prayed a simple prayer and felt God's peace in allowing them to induce labor the next day.
The night before she was born, I had to make a decision. I had to decide where I stood with God regardless of the outcome. My heart was broken. I was scared. Rusty was scared. We were leaning with our whole hearts on our Mighty God. But before I sound like a "super spiritual saint", please know I battled that night.
I struggled with all of the normal questions. "Why?" "What have I done wrong?" "Why are you doing this to me?" "How could this be happening?" "I thought You would always take care of us?"
As tears streamed down my face and my heart breaking in two, feeling as if a giant elephant was sitting on my back, I heard God's gentle whisper, "Will you still love me passionately and worship me if Taylor dies?" "Will you trust me no matter what?" "Will you still serve me with your whole heart?"
I couldn't answer right away. I lay on the side of the bed. My heart was beating so hard I thought it would wake up Rusty next to me. My pillow and my hair was wet with the tears that had fallen continuously for over an hour. I heard the question and I didn't know if I could take another breath. This was it! This was a climatic moment in my walk with God. I had served Him almost my whole life. I had "surrendered all" so many times in altar calls I couldn't even count them. I had promised to follow Him all of my days. BUT - what if the all powerful God I served chose not to intervene and not to heal my unborn child? Could I still passionately pursue that God? Would I?
The clock beside ticked seconds that seemed like eternity. I knew this was not a question that I could just raise my hand in the emotion of the moment and say, "Yes, Jesus!" This question my Creator posed before me was one that placed my faith at the ultimate crossroad.
I was afraid to breathe. My hand traced my swollen abdomen. This little heartbeat had been inside of me for seven months. How would I handle not bringing home a baby from the hospital? - not seeing her take her first steps. - not having to change the diapers I had already bought. - taking the infant car seat out of my car not having a need for it?
Would I still serve God passionately? I knew I would still serve Him, but would I always have a resentment in my heart?
I wish I could say I knew immediately that I would love God no matter what. But it didn't happen that way. I had to choose. I had to make a choice to love Him and worship and adore Him regardless of the outcome the next day. I had to choose to let go of what I thought was a happy, normal life in order to let God be in ultimate control.
With a coarse, breaking voice, I whispered, "Help me, Jesus!" At that moment the floodgates of heaven released a torrent of peace that swept through my very soul. In that moment I knew I would passionately adore my Jesus no matter what the outcome. I knew He would strengthen me and help me. I literally lay my wishes, hopes, desires, and my very soul in His arms. When I "died" to what I wanted to happen, I felt more alive than I ever had before.
You may be at a crossroad in your life. You may have financial struggles that are weighing so heavy you feel as if you can't move. You may have teenagers that are wringing the very joy from every part of your life.
The frustration and bitterness is beginning to build. "Why isn't God showing up?" "Why can't He just do one small miracle for me this time?" "Why is He not answering my prayers?"
Can you let go completely, and say truthfully in your heart -
"Even if I have to declare bankruptcy, I will gladly worship and adore my Savior!"
"Even if my child continues the path he has chosen, I will gladly worship and adore my Savior!"
"If I never get another answer to prayer again, I will passionately pursue and love my Jesus!"
And that my friends is when you really begin to live. John 10:10 says "....but I have come that they might have life and have if more abundantly."
Okay, so I have shared with you one of the darkest moments of my life. What will you do with your situation? I challenge you to go back and read our scriptures from the last Bible study. Will you die to self on a daily basis? - even in the small stuff?
I leave you with my favorite scripture of all.
Psalm 25:1
With a heart of worship,
Dorinda
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Women's Conference
I just wanted to remind you all that the annual Women's Ministries Conference is coming up on October 19 and 20 in Jacksonville, Arkansas.
There is a $35 Registration fee and if you want to spend the night, the hotel is $23/person for the night. Please see Sis. Ruby as soon as possible if you would like to go. I am working hard on figuring out a way to go myself. I will be there for the Friday evening service. I would love to see our group represented well!
Also, in case you don't know, you are a part of our WM group by being a member of this Bible Study! Any time you see a WM meeting announced, that is an invitation to YOU! WMs is a vital ministry of our church and supports great missionary endeavors. I encourage each of you to give to WMs even if you are like me and can't make all the meetings. You can mark your envelope WMs on Sundays.
One last thing, I want us all to get together for an in person time of fellowship before this year is up. If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know!
Have a great day!
Dorinda
There is a $35 Registration fee and if you want to spend the night, the hotel is $23/person for the night. Please see Sis. Ruby as soon as possible if you would like to go. I am working hard on figuring out a way to go myself. I will be there for the Friday evening service. I would love to see our group represented well!
Also, in case you don't know, you are a part of our WM group by being a member of this Bible Study! Any time you see a WM meeting announced, that is an invitation to YOU! WMs is a vital ministry of our church and supports great missionary endeavors. I encourage each of you to give to WMs even if you are like me and can't make all the meetings. You can mark your envelope WMs on Sundays.
One last thing, I want us all to get together for an in person time of fellowship before this year is up. If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know!
Have a great day!
Dorinda
Monday, October 1, 2007
Thoughts on our Humanity
This week we turn a different direction in our study of our humanity. Before I post scriptures and Bible study questions, I want you to ponder a few thoughts I have about who we are and the struggles we face.
Have you ever awakened and just plain felt cruddy? You didn't feel like being nice to anyone let alone praying and talking to God. Have you ever been having a great day, and then someone says something to you that really aggravates you, and you know you shouldn't respond a certain way, but you do it anyway? Sometimes we blame our feelings or reactions on pms, hormones, or lack of chocolate, but I think sometimes we give way too much credit to these things. They are not in control of us, we are. We choose our own actions and reactions.
We are human beings. We are created in God's image to serve and worship Him. We, who are saved and follow Christ are new creations, but we still struggle with what we call our "carnal" or "sinful" nature. It is that aspect of who we are that we are going to be looking at this week, and let me warn you, it isn't a pretty sight.
So, before I post a Bible text, let me ask you to think about a few things. If you want, I would love for you to post your thoughts on these.
When you think of the following phrases, what do you think they mean?
- sinful nature
- carnal nature
- flesh
- crucified with Christ
Post your thoughts on those phrases and then our Bible study text will be in the next blog.
With a heart of worship,
Dorinda
Bible Study - Our Sinful Nature
This week's study is going to be pretty basic. I don't want to put a lot of stuff in here, because I want to build a firm understanding of who we are without Christ.
1) Please read Romans 6:6 and Romans 7:15-25. Then please read Romans chapters 6, 7 and 8. We will be focusing more on chapters 6 and 7, but I did want you to read about the positive side also. :) The results of the following will vary for each person due to the different translation you each use in your study.
2)Re-read the chapters, this time underline or highlight in your Bible, or write on a piece of paper, the different phrases used for sinful, flesh, carnal, etc.
3) Now, lets see what these phrases mean in the original Greek.
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=carnal
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=flesh
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=sinful
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=nature
4) Do you see any repeats? If on each of the above you will click on the underlined number to the left. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will see scripture references where that word is used. Look at the words in the chapters we are looking at.
My goal in having you go on this particular "treasure hunt" is for you to understand exactly what Paul is saying when he is talking about our struggle with our flesh - our carnal and sinful nature.
There are basically a couple of different words he uses in the Greek and then they are translated differently once we get into different versions of the Bible. It is important for us to understand our human nature. It is more important to understand the power we have through the Holy Spirit- but that is another Bible study lesson coming soon.
You don't have to post the actual answers to your questions, but I would love to hear any comments you have regarding the scripture passages. Has there ever been a time when you were a Romans 7:15-25 Queen candidate? Did ya just know you shouldn't do something, but ya did it anyway? If it is not too damaging or scary, please feel free to "share"... :)
I love you all!
Have fun digging for treasure this week!
Dorinda
1) Please read Romans 6:6 and Romans 7:15-25. Then please read Romans chapters 6, 7 and 8. We will be focusing more on chapters 6 and 7, but I did want you to read about the positive side also. :) The results of the following will vary for each person due to the different translation you each use in your study.
2)Re-read the chapters, this time underline or highlight in your Bible, or write on a piece of paper, the different phrases used for sinful, flesh, carnal, etc.
3) Now, lets see what these phrases mean in the original Greek.
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=carnal
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=flesh
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=sinful
www.studylight.org/lex/grk/search.cgi?word=nature
4) Do you see any repeats? If on each of the above you will click on the underlined number to the left. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will see scripture references where that word is used. Look at the words in the chapters we are looking at.
My goal in having you go on this particular "treasure hunt" is for you to understand exactly what Paul is saying when he is talking about our struggle with our flesh - our carnal and sinful nature.
There are basically a couple of different words he uses in the Greek and then they are translated differently once we get into different versions of the Bible. It is important for us to understand our human nature. It is more important to understand the power we have through the Holy Spirit- but that is another Bible study lesson coming soon.
You don't have to post the actual answers to your questions, but I would love to hear any comments you have regarding the scripture passages. Has there ever been a time when you were a Romans 7:15-25 Queen candidate? Did ya just know you shouldn't do something, but ya did it anyway? If it is not too damaging or scary, please feel free to "share"... :)
I love you all!
Have fun digging for treasure this week!
Dorinda
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Way to Go Girls!
Wow!
I have had so much fun reading all of your comments and answers to our questions this week! I think we are getting the hang of this online Bible Study/Fellowship! I don't know about you girls, but I like it!
I sent an email out earlier today saying that I wasn't going to post a study this week to give everyone a chance to catch up. Also, starting Monday we are switching gears a little. We will begin to look at our carnal nature and what God's Word has to say about that.
If you want to get a head start, you can cross reference some verses on "flesh", "carnal nature", "soul", etc. Remember, our subject is "Lord, Help Me I'm Human!"
I pray you have a wonderful rest of the week and that you seek His face, love His Word, and know His Truth!
love ya!
Dorinda
I have had so much fun reading all of your comments and answers to our questions this week! I think we are getting the hang of this online Bible Study/Fellowship! I don't know about you girls, but I like it!
I sent an email out earlier today saying that I wasn't going to post a study this week to give everyone a chance to catch up. Also, starting Monday we are switching gears a little. We will begin to look at our carnal nature and what God's Word has to say about that.
If you want to get a head start, you can cross reference some verses on "flesh", "carnal nature", "soul", etc. Remember, our subject is "Lord, Help Me I'm Human!"
I pray you have a wonderful rest of the week and that you seek His face, love His Word, and know His Truth!
love ya!
Dorinda
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
I Have Children I Have Never Met!
Did you know that?! It has taken me a few years to figure out, but I realized this morning while we were getting ready for school that I have never met two or more of evidently my offspring.
I am a slow learner. Everytime I ask - "Who left this food here?" My children I know reply, "Not me!" Then I ask for someone to take out the trash and one of the three in this house I have met will say, "Someone else can do it!"
So, today it finally dawned on me that I have never met Not Me and Someone Else (when did I give birth to these kids???)
Not me is definitely the slob in our household and Someone else never does his/her chores.....
So - just wondering -
Whether you have kids or hubby or not- what is the most hated household chore in your house?
Who is the best cook?
What is your favorite household chore?
Can't wait to see your responses..... EVERYBODY!!!
love ya all!
dorinda
I am a slow learner. Everytime I ask - "Who left this food here?" My children I know reply, "Not me!" Then I ask for someone to take out the trash and one of the three in this house I have met will say, "Someone else can do it!"
So, today it finally dawned on me that I have never met Not Me and Someone Else (when did I give birth to these kids???)
Not me is definitely the slob in our household and Someone else never does his/her chores.....
So - just wondering -
Whether you have kids or hubby or not- what is the most hated household chore in your house?
Who is the best cook?
What is your favorite household chore?
Can't wait to see your responses..... EVERYBODY!!!
love ya all!
dorinda
Monday, September 17, 2007
Digging for Lost Treasure
2 Corinthians 4 - Study #3
Ok, girls! It is Bible Study day! As I have been praying and seeking God for His direction on this week's study, my mind has gone in a thousand different directions.
Yesterday we celebrated 60 years of our church's history. What an incredible day! There were pictures and displays of so many things that have taken place through the ministry of First Assembly.
This past week I have been on a quest for a certain picture taken around 1972 of at church camp. I had received the Best Camper runner-up award and had to stand there with the boy who received the same award. It is an old polaroid picture and not the greatest quality. When it was taken it was actually thrown in the trash to get a better picture. I confiscated the picture from the trash and kept it in my keepsake box as a little girl. It was forgotten, along with a lot of other little mementos, until I was 19 years old.
The summer that I was 19, I had returned home from my freshman year of Bible college in love and engaged. My whole heart belonged to Rusty Blann (and still does)! He had come to visit me before he was headed off to church camp as a kid's counselor. As our conversation turned to our years as campers, we discovered that we had both received the Best Camper runner-up award the same year.
I ran to my little girl treasure box and dug out the blurry Polaroid. I knew it was me, but was that Rusty? He didn't know, so he took the picture with him to Fordyce to ask his mother. She confirmed his identity.
So, in an instant, a discarded and forgotten photograph became a treasure. It was something that very few couples have- pictures taken of them together at a young age. It was transferred from my little girl treasure box to my "grown up" valuables!
Since I grew up in this church and my husband is now the Senior Pastor, I thought it would be rather nice to have that "treasured" photo in our timeline yesterday. So began my treasure search for the past week. Since my move, over a year ago, certain things are not where I thought they were, namely my treasured pictures.
I dug through boxes, albums, closets and drawers. The picture was no where to be found! What at first was a quest became an obsession! "Could it have been discarded? Could we have lost it in the move? How could I have been so careless with something that cannot be replaced?"
My house now looks like a disaster area. All of the boxes and albums and storage containers are in our family room. I didn't find the picture for the 60th Anniversary celebration. I told my husband how frustrated I was and that as soon as the celebration services were over and I had my nap, then my search would resume.
So, before I went to bed last night, I had the "treasure" in my hand! It had been in an overlooked envelope with pictures I had set a part at one time to put in a special album.
I told you the short version (ha!) of that story to hopefully give you even more insight into this chapter in 2 Corinthians.
Things I can relate from this story to God's Word:
Ok, girls! It is Bible Study day! As I have been praying and seeking God for His direction on this week's study, my mind has gone in a thousand different directions.
Yesterday we celebrated 60 years of our church's history. What an incredible day! There were pictures and displays of so many things that have taken place through the ministry of First Assembly.
This past week I have been on a quest for a certain picture taken around 1972 of at church camp. I had received the Best Camper runner-up award and had to stand there with the boy who received the same award. It is an old polaroid picture and not the greatest quality. When it was taken it was actually thrown in the trash to get a better picture. I confiscated the picture from the trash and kept it in my keepsake box as a little girl. It was forgotten, along with a lot of other little mementos, until I was 19 years old.
The summer that I was 19, I had returned home from my freshman year of Bible college in love and engaged. My whole heart belonged to Rusty Blann (and still does)! He had come to visit me before he was headed off to church camp as a kid's counselor. As our conversation turned to our years as campers, we discovered that we had both received the Best Camper runner-up award the same year.
I ran to my little girl treasure box and dug out the blurry Polaroid. I knew it was me, but was that Rusty? He didn't know, so he took the picture with him to Fordyce to ask his mother. She confirmed his identity.
So, in an instant, a discarded and forgotten photograph became a treasure. It was something that very few couples have- pictures taken of them together at a young age. It was transferred from my little girl treasure box to my "grown up" valuables!
Since I grew up in this church and my husband is now the Senior Pastor, I thought it would be rather nice to have that "treasured" photo in our timeline yesterday. So began my treasure search for the past week. Since my move, over a year ago, certain things are not where I thought they were, namely my treasured pictures.
I dug through boxes, albums, closets and drawers. The picture was no where to be found! What at first was a quest became an obsession! "Could it have been discarded? Could we have lost it in the move? How could I have been so careless with something that cannot be replaced?"
My house now looks like a disaster area. All of the boxes and albums and storage containers are in our family room. I didn't find the picture for the 60th Anniversary celebration. I told my husband how frustrated I was and that as soon as the celebration services were over and I had my nap, then my search would resume.
So, before I went to bed last night, I had the "treasure" in my hand! It had been in an overlooked envelope with pictures I had set a part at one time to put in a special album.
I told you the short version (ha!) of that story to hopefully give you even more insight into this chapter in 2 Corinthians.
Things I can relate from this story to God's Word:
- I had a treasure that at first I didn't realize was a treasure.
- Once I knew I possessed a treasure, I eventually was careless with it.
- When I realized my treasure was misplaced, it became valuable again.
- My treasure was hard to find because it was hidden inside a common envelope.
- I searched and searched until I regained my treasure.
We established in the last two weeks that the treasure referred to in 2 Corinthians 4 is the gospel message that we carry around in our earthly bodies. With all of the above in mind, go back and read chapter 4 - again. You ladies are all treasures. I hope you each realize how special you are.
Let me take a little liberty and take the scripture a little out of context. Sometimes our lost treasure can be innocence, self-esteem, confidence, security, love, joy.... and I could go on and on.
So my questions for you this week are more personal.
1) How can you relate my story of looking for the picture to the spiritual or emotional side of your life?
2) Can you find other scriptures that relate to finding treasures that were lost? (Do a word search on any of the resources listed.
3) This one isn't a question but a request: memorize 2 Cor 4:7 - 10.
I would love to hear from ALL of you! Oh, if I can, I am posting my little picture on the side...
Love you all!
Dorinda
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