Many of us have a savings account, a retirement plan, even insurance policies, all in hopes of securing our future. Those items are a sense of security and safety for many of us. Not things we would discard of very easily. We have seen in recent years the anguish brought on by the sudden loos of those items and how people's lives have been devastated.
1. Read Luke 7:37. What did the woman bring to Jesus?
An alabaster box filled with fragrant oils was a precious little item. It was often used as a dowry for a woman when she married. It could be traded for anything you could need. It, in essence, secured her future. I can just picture her looking at it on the shelf. Her ticket out, her future, all bottled up in a tiny little package.
The Bible does not tell us if she had a family, but I bet if she did, they thought she was nuts.
"You are going to throw your future away on Jesus?"
"You have worked so hard for that - why give it away?"
"You'll never get out now. You will stuck in this life forever!"
The devil has said those very words to us for generations.
Why waste you time and effort on someone you can't even see? You have worked hard to achieve your worldly status, you financial status, even your church status. If you follow Christ you will lose all of that. If you give your life to Jesus or if you follow His calling in this or that area, you will always be poor, shamed, humiliated. You apologize and they will think you are weak. You confess you sins and struggles and they will no longer respect you. The enemy uses friends and foes, family members and coworkers alike. We may even join him in our thoughts.
I have heard it said many times, perhaps you have too, that life with Christ is the freest gift in the world that will cost you everything.Our woman gave her past (her sin), her present (her shame), and her future (her alabaster box). She willingly laid these before Christ.
She restated with her life what David said in 1 Chronicles 21.
2. Look up this passage and read verse 18-24. Why did David insist he pay for the land and the offerings?
Both the woman in our story and David had the same heart. They were not going to bring to the Lord God something that cost them nothing. They chose to make a sacrifice. May we be as willing to pay whatever costs are required of us to draw into Jesus.
End today by asking the Lord in prayer what sacrifices, if any, He is asking of you. Maybe it is of your time, your pride, or your priorities. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you identify and make these sacrifices. Write out a short prayer describing these things.
Be blessed today! Thanks for studying. I do love ya to pieces:)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
DO OR DIE
Today we are going to take a little field trip. I tread cautiously here because I want to take you where the Bible doesn't - into the home of the sinful woman.
Have you ever gotten ready for a big event? Maybe a prom in high school, a first date, a dinner with a new friend, or a meeting with an old one you have not seen in a while.
1. Think back to how your nerves felt. Jot down the emotions that come to mind.
Most of us would be excited, a tad nervous. We would want to make a good impression, people to see us at our very best. Now imagine how you would feel if you knew the upcoming meeting would be confrontational at best. You know it can go bad and go there in a hurry, but it is something you have to do.
2.How would your nerves change?
I would venture that our woman felt the full range of this emotional scale. She felt compelled to go to Christ; I am sure wanting Him to accept her. She was also aware of the fact that the Pharisee knew who she was. He could have her dragged out of the house and thrown in to the street. He could publicly shame her in front of the very One she was coming to see.
Can you hear her arguing with herself?
3. Read Philippians 3:8. How does this verse apply to our story?
"that I may gain Christ".
No one took her pride this time.
This time she would deliberately lay it down to reach the only One who could give it back.
Have you ever gotten ready for a big event? Maybe a prom in high school, a first date, a dinner with a new friend, or a meeting with an old one you have not seen in a while.
1. Think back to how your nerves felt. Jot down the emotions that come to mind.
Most of us would be excited, a tad nervous. We would want to make a good impression, people to see us at our very best. Now imagine how you would feel if you knew the upcoming meeting would be confrontational at best. You know it can go bad and go there in a hurry, but it is something you have to do.
2.How would your nerves change?
I would venture that our woman felt the full range of this emotional scale. She felt compelled to go to Christ; I am sure wanting Him to accept her. She was also aware of the fact that the Pharisee knew who she was. He could have her dragged out of the house and thrown in to the street. He could publicly shame her in front of the very One she was coming to see.
Can you hear her arguing with herself?
This is the only way.
They know who you are.
They won't let you in.
This is what I have to do.
She was well aware of the costs. However, they were ones she was willing to pay.3. Read Philippians 3:8. How does this verse apply to our story?
"that I may gain Christ".
No one took her pride this time.
This time she would deliberately lay it down to reach the only One who could give it back.
Monday, August 10, 2009
THE HUMILIATED - Small Towns
I have lived in small towns almost my entire life. There are many things about small towns that I love: the sense of community, people helping others in times of need, and the sense of pride taken in each other's achievements. However, there is one aspect of the small towns that I have never liked- people knowing my business.
1. Read Luke 7:36-37. How was the woman described?
A sinner, as if that even needed to be stated. What woman in the town, or man for that matter, wasn't a sinner? Yet she is deliberately pointed out as a sinner. I am curious as to what sin she committed that merited such as obvious label.
I can imagine her life. As she walks about town people stare. People whisper as she goes by. Every story told about her includes "Oh you know her she's the girl that..."
The American Heritage dictionary defines humiliated as the following:
"I am such an idiot"
"I am the worst mom"
blah blah blah
2.Reflect on a time when you were humiliated (big or small). How did it make you feel emotionally & spiritually?
3. Go back to Luke 7 and read verse 39.
Whatever she had done, it was public knowledge. The Pharisee knew "who and what manner of woman" she was.
4. Read Romans 3:23. What does it tell us?
We have all sinned. However, we tend to get caught up in naming the sin. We, as a society, have a list of minor sins, big sins, and then the REALLY BIG ones. We tend to keep count and as long as we don't have very many of the "really big" ones we are okay. However, sin is sin, all the same to God. Luke could not have made her more relative to us today if he had tried. To say she was a sinner encompasses us all. Had he named her sin (adultery, gossip, murder, or whatever), it would have been easy for us who had not committed that particular sin to glaze over the story and miss the point.
5. Read Isaiah 53:11-12. Who was Isaiah talking about?
Christ was numbered with us, regardless of our sin, for our sin. Yes, we have all experienced sin and humiliation in our lives, but those were both taken care of at the cross. This week we are going to look at a woman who refused to let her humiliation keep her from the One who could restore her dignity.
1. Read Luke 7:36-37. How was the woman described?
A sinner, as if that even needed to be stated. What woman in the town, or man for that matter, wasn't a sinner? Yet she is deliberately pointed out as a sinner. I am curious as to what sin she committed that merited such as obvious label.
I can imagine her life. As she walks about town people stare. People whisper as she goes by. Every story told about her includes "Oh you know her she's the girl that..."
The American Heritage dictionary defines humiliated as the following:
to lower the pride or dignity of;mortify
I am going to bet those words aptly described her. I doubt she held her head high as she walked around. I am sure she was mortified when her sin was found out. I know those words have described many of us. One of my most recent humiliations was at the mall. For some reason, I decided that I could carry my toddler, purse, bags, and stroller down the escalator and let my other child go ahead. Well, he went ahead, and I got stuck at the top. He fell and security was quick on him. He was okay, but I was trying to get him to come back up to me (you know climb the stairs). The security guard quickly corrected me and directed me to the elevator. Now I am a grown woman and should have known better. I have absolutely no explanation as to why I thought it was a good idea. I don't think I have felt that, well stupid, in a long time. Even now, I visualize them watching me on the cameras when I go tot the mall saying, " Here comes that lady who lost her kid on the escalator." I teared up, held it together til I got to the car and then I bawled. I was embarrassed and mad at myself for hours. "I am such an idiot"
"I am the worst mom"
blah blah blah
2.Reflect on a time when you were humiliated (big or small). How did it make you feel emotionally & spiritually?
3. Go back to Luke 7 and read verse 39.
Whatever she had done, it was public knowledge. The Pharisee knew "who and what manner of woman" she was.
4. Read Romans 3:23. What does it tell us?
We have all sinned. However, we tend to get caught up in naming the sin. We, as a society, have a list of minor sins, big sins, and then the REALLY BIG ones. We tend to keep count and as long as we don't have very many of the "really big" ones we are okay. However, sin is sin, all the same to God. Luke could not have made her more relative to us today if he had tried. To say she was a sinner encompasses us all. Had he named her sin (adultery, gossip, murder, or whatever), it would have been easy for us who had not committed that particular sin to glaze over the story and miss the point.
5. Read Isaiah 53:11-12. Who was Isaiah talking about?
Christ was numbered with us, regardless of our sin, for our sin. Yes, we have all experienced sin and humiliation in our lives, but those were both taken care of at the cross. This week we are going to look at a woman who refused to let her humiliation keep her from the One who could restore her dignity.
Psalm 3:3
"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head"
Friday, August 7, 2009
WEEKEND HOMEWORK
I am going to wait until next week to start the next section of study. I really want to do this part consecutively because it is my favorite section. So I have some homework for you. This weekend, when you get the time, read Luke 7: 36-50. Study over it. Jot down anything that the Lord impresses on your heart. I would really love your feedback:) Have a great weekend!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
WEEK 2 REVEIW
Believe it or not we just finished up week 2 of Deliberately Delivered. We have looked at people who deliberately chose to seek after God in their lives and their homes. In closing out this section, I would like to look at the other choice.
1. Please read Job 2:7-10.
What was Job's wife encouraging him to do?
Now before we get all upset and question how she could do that, remember she lost her children and property as well. She is watching her husband being destroyed by his own body. How many of us have gotten so caught up in our circumstances that we lose sight of the Lord, if even for the briefest of seconds?
However, she, like us, had a choice to make. Sadly, she chose the wrong response.
Today, I would like you to meditate on Psalm 78 versus 1-8. Let them sink in to the marrow of your being. Let them speak hope that things can change in your family if they need to. Things can change in you if they need to. By God's grace, Christ's power, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we can start to change the tide of our generations.
We can start today. We can start this morning.
We can start now.
1. Please read Job 2:7-10.
What was Job's wife encouraging him to do?
Now before we get all upset and question how she could do that, remember she lost her children and property as well. She is watching her husband being destroyed by his own body. How many of us have gotten so caught up in our circumstances that we lose sight of the Lord, if even for the briefest of seconds?
However, she, like us, had a choice to make. Sadly, she chose the wrong response.
Today, I would like you to meditate on Psalm 78 versus 1-8. Let them sink in to the marrow of your being. Let them speak hope that things can change in your family if they need to. Things can change in you if they need to. By God's grace, Christ's power, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we can start to change the tide of our generations.
We can start today. We can start this morning.
We can start now.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
GENERATIONAL
Generations- a term found over 100x in the Bible. Blessing and curses carried out for generations. The stuff we have been talking about is carried out for generations. How you treat yourself, your family and friends, the children you influence, and how you respond to the enemy's attacks will reverberate throughout the generations.
1. Look up the following verses and summarize them on your paper.
Genesis 9:9
Genesis 15:5
2 Samuel 7:16
Noah, Abraham and David all promised generations. Now I think we can safely say these men were deliberate in their pursuit of God. Their life choices, good and bad, affected their families for generations to come. Think back to Rahab and the choices she made. She is the mother-in-law of Ruth. RUTH! Think her stories had any impact on her son and daughter-in- law? Job, Joshua, Moses - families impacted for years and years.
All these people were seed sowers. As they told and retold their stories, their children and their children's children were witnesses to the workings of God.
2. Look up the following passages.
Psalm 145:4
Psalm 102:18
The latter blows my mind. The idea that sharing my testimony, whether in word or in print, can cause "a people yet to be created" to worship and praise the Lord - mind boggling! People yet to be created- what a responsibility.
So what kind of seed sower am I? What kind of seed sower are you? Do we plant seeds that will grow and flourish, deep in the soil of the Word, or am I planting them in shallow dirt so that any storm of life can cause them to be blown or washed away?
The brevity of those thoughts sends me to only one place for encouragement - the Word! (Otherwise we might make a run for the hills)
3. Look up 1 Peter 2:9. What are we called? Why are we called this?
In Christ we can plant good seeds, seeds of life with deep roots that will weather the storms that come our way. End today by thinking of some of the seeds you can plant into the lives of people around you. Jot down three or four ideas and begin to pray over them.
Done? Alright get out there and start planting. The harvest is near and way too prescious to lose.
1. Look up the following verses and summarize them on your paper.
Genesis 9:9
Genesis 15:5
2 Samuel 7:16
Noah, Abraham and David all promised generations. Now I think we can safely say these men were deliberate in their pursuit of God. Their life choices, good and bad, affected their families for generations to come. Think back to Rahab and the choices she made. She is the mother-in-law of Ruth. RUTH! Think her stories had any impact on her son and daughter-in- law? Job, Joshua, Moses - families impacted for years and years.
All these people were seed sowers. As they told and retold their stories, their children and their children's children were witnesses to the workings of God.
2. Look up the following passages.
Psalm 145:4
Psalm 102:18
The latter blows my mind. The idea that sharing my testimony, whether in word or in print, can cause "a people yet to be created" to worship and praise the Lord - mind boggling! People yet to be created- what a responsibility.
So what kind of seed sower am I? What kind of seed sower are you? Do we plant seeds that will grow and flourish, deep in the soil of the Word, or am I planting them in shallow dirt so that any storm of life can cause them to be blown or washed away?
The brevity of those thoughts sends me to only one place for encouragement - the Word! (Otherwise we might make a run for the hills)
3. Look up 1 Peter 2:9. What are we called? Why are we called this?
In Christ we can plant good seeds, seeds of life with deep roots that will weather the storms that come our way. End today by thinking of some of the seeds you can plant into the lives of people around you. Jot down three or four ideas and begin to pray over them.
Done? Alright get out there and start planting. The harvest is near and way too prescious to lose.
Monday, August 3, 2009
UNDER ATTACK DAY 2
Last week we ended looking at what fears we deal with and ways we were battling them. Let's carry on with this today.
1. What are some things you came up with to help battle your fears?
I know for me two things work the best (and they are not anything new)
1. Prayer
2. Being in the word
The times when I feel my anxieties begin to creep up, and believe me I do, are usually times when I have neglected one of those two areas. My mind will wander, badly, if given half the chance. It is necessary for me to be diligent in guarding it.
It is also helpful to find a confidant to share those fears you face with. Satan loves to separate us and make us believe we are the only ones. However, there is a word of caution.
2. Read Job 2:11-13
Job's friends surround him initially. They sit with him and mourn with him for seven days. However, when they do speak, they try to figure out why these things are happening. They attempt to make some explanation for it. Job must have sinned, Job was being chastened, Job needed to repent. I am sure they meant well, but they were still trying to put man's ways on God's ways. By trying to rationalize the events, Job's friends did not help the situation. If anything they pulled him down more.
We must be aware of what we bring into others lives and what we allow them to bring into ours. We can choose to be encouraging with them, but not flippant. We can choose to speak the word of God over them as statements of faith, not quick fixes. Job's friends did sit with him in silence for seven days. Perhaps that was the best thing they did. Sometimes that is all the hurting need.
Take a few moments to reflect where you are. Are you in the shadow of darkness? Are you under attack physically? Are you attacked mentally? Do you have someone in your life who is being attacked?
In closing I am going to ask that you write two prayers. One for yourself and one for the person the Lord brings to mind. Be honest with God where you are emotionally and physically, He already knows. Then quote back to Him His word over you and the person you are praying for. You may want to use the scripture you have memorized. After you have written your prayers, pray them out loud. Let your flesh and your enemy hear you and declare the words of you God on purpose!
1. What are some things you came up with to help battle your fears?
I know for me two things work the best (and they are not anything new)
1. Prayer
2. Being in the word
The times when I feel my anxieties begin to creep up, and believe me I do, are usually times when I have neglected one of those two areas. My mind will wander, badly, if given half the chance. It is necessary for me to be diligent in guarding it.
It is also helpful to find a confidant to share those fears you face with. Satan loves to separate us and make us believe we are the only ones. However, there is a word of caution.
2. Read Job 2:11-13
Job's friends surround him initially. They sit with him and mourn with him for seven days. However, when they do speak, they try to figure out why these things are happening. They attempt to make some explanation for it. Job must have sinned, Job was being chastened, Job needed to repent. I am sure they meant well, but they were still trying to put man's ways on God's ways. By trying to rationalize the events, Job's friends did not help the situation. If anything they pulled him down more.
We must be aware of what we bring into others lives and what we allow them to bring into ours. We can choose to be encouraging with them, but not flippant. We can choose to speak the word of God over them as statements of faith, not quick fixes. Job's friends did sit with him in silence for seven days. Perhaps that was the best thing they did. Sometimes that is all the hurting need.
Take a few moments to reflect where you are. Are you in the shadow of darkness? Are you under attack physically? Are you attacked mentally? Do you have someone in your life who is being attacked?
In closing I am going to ask that you write two prayers. One for yourself and one for the person the Lord brings to mind. Be honest with God where you are emotionally and physically, He already knows. Then quote back to Him His word over you and the person you are praying for. You may want to use the scripture you have memorized. After you have written your prayers, pray them out loud. Let your flesh and your enemy hear you and declare the words of you God on purpose!
Psalm 60:12
"Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
