Lately, there have been many well-known celebrities (no names mentioned!) who are leading desperate people to believe there are many ways to get to God. People are searching to and fro for peace and are willing to accept almost any thread of hope anyone offers them. This saddens me greatly. Hurting people need to be shown the truth, not sold a lie. Granted, I truly believe the people that are misleading the seekers are not doing so intentionally. They think they are right in their beliefs. That saddens me even more. They, also, are lost and misguided. Thinking about how this situation is affecting the world around us, I feel led to begin a study on the Sovereignty of our God. He is the One and Only God. He is the Lord of all creation, the Creator of the universe. Jesus is the ONLY way to get to Him and there are NO exceptions. That being said, I would like you to join me in a study of the book of Colossians. There will be an open forum for discussion purposes. I encourage you to jump in and give your opinions and share what God is showing you through this study.
An online study is a terrific way to study with a group without ever having to leave your home, get a baby sitter, get dressed up ( PJs are welcome here!), or try to work a Bible study meeting into an already overloaded schedule. Do it at your own pace. After the kids are in bed, before they wake up, after hubby is fed, whatever works for you as a busy woman!!! You can even take a break and go throw a load of clothes in the dryer! (Now you know how I do it!)
I hope you will join me on this journey and PLEASE, if you do, jump into the forum and let me know you are here, OK? A Bible study is so much more enlightening when discussion takes place among the participants. Here we go! Scroll down for Day 1.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Just as our world is today, the Christians at Colosse mixed the truth of Christ with the practices of the secular world. There are times when I believe it is OK to blend the two, such as with music or styles of worship. But, blending the two should NEVER change the truth of Who God is and What Jesus came to accomplish. It is common belief today that there are many ways to heaven. It is common belief that we all have to set our own guidelines and our own "truths". "What is true for you may not be true for me" is the way our world today sees things. WHAT A FALSE ASSUMPTION THAT IS!!!
The people in the Roman city of Colosse were partakers of many different religions. Judaism, Platonism, and various cults from the surrounding mountain areas were blended into strange and contradictory religious practices. Angles were worshipped in a idolised fashion. Among all of this, were many believers who followed Christ and the teachings of Paul. Paul had begun many Christian churches in the area as well. Paul actually wrote this letter to the Colossians from behind prison walls. His wish was for the Colossians to circulate this letter throughout Colosse so that people could be shown the truth of Christ.
The problem was that the churches in Colosse were being infiltrated with these immoral religious practices and it was causing division, debate and disunity within the Christian church. The way to destroy that monster of division was to instill the truth of God into the hearts and minds of the people. Believers in the One True Christ could not be swayed if they knew the truth. Lies would not be accepted as truth if the believers were walking in the ways of Christ. Wavering would not be an issue. ( Read Chapter 2 verse 4)
Read Chapter 1 in Colossians. As you read, focus on the hopes that Paul has for the people in Colosse. You will find those in verses 9-12. Paul wishes for them to be filled with the wisdom and knowledge of God. He wants them to spiritually understand the TRUTH of Christ. He knows that if they do, they will walk in strength and power and will bear fruit for the kingdom of God. Paul also prays for them to keep their joy in the midst of this divisive situation and to have patience with one another as they work through their differences.
What is your favorite verse in the passage above? (Verses 1-12)
In verse 13 Paul begins to touch on the person of Jesus and the redemptive power His blood has over our lives. It is here that we begin to see the truth of Who Christ is. On throughout until verse 23, Paul shows us a straightforward idea of the preeminent Christ. Even though other worldly cultures may offer appealing claims and ideas tempting to explore, God alone is the Ruler of the universe. He is the only Light at work in this world. All else is darkness in comparison. There is NO other way to live in the light than to live for Jesus and to walk in the counsel of God the Father. He is the beginning and the end. He is the head of the body. He is the only person who can bring us to the throne of grace where the Father sits, ready to accept us.
Verse 24-29 shows us the effect that walking in the light of Christ will have on a person's life. Paul's life was changed forever when he became a Christ follower. He was consumed with his love for Jesus and had no choice but to spread that love throughout his world. How can we do any less?
Do you call yourself a Christ follower?
How has it changed your life?
Verse 19 tells us that all things are reconciled to the Father by Jesus. That disproves the lies that are being told today to the seekers of truth and peace. There is only ONE way to God, and that is Jesus. His redemptive blood is the only element strong enough to wipe away the sins of the flesh. If you have not yet accepted the cleansing power of Jesus Christ, allow me to escort you into His presence. Pray this prayer from where you are sitting right now. God will take you as you are, now, at this very moment. PJ's and all. No makeup, bad hair and sin-covered. Just say these words aloud to Him and feel His peace flood over you:
Father God, I come before you now, a sinner. I am ready to give my hopes, dreams and entire being to You this day. I ask You to come into my heart, cleanse me from my sins and fill the empty voids in my life with Your love and forgiveness. I want Jesus to live within me and Your Holy Spirit to guide me in all my steps and with every breath I take. Thank You for saving me! Please use me Father to spread Your love throughout this world. I want to be an instrument for You. I want to learn all I can about You so I can share You with others. May they see in me a changed life and be desperate for what I have found in You! Amen!
Now you are a new creation!! You can start fresh today and begin living a new life with a new attitude!! If you need any further assistance or guidance, please let me know and I will help you along the way.
Maybe you have been a Christian for awhile and you are feeling stagnant. Don't be discouraged. That happens to the best of us. Even though our lives have been changed, the stresses of living can step in to steal our focus away from where it needs to be, on our Creator. The best way I know of to get your "Groove" back is to refresh your mind and heart with the truth of Who your God really is. What He has done for you and what He has in store for your future. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for our future. They are great plans!! They are exciting plans!! They are for us to experience hope and blessings!! He loves you and wants only the best for you. Pray this prayer right where you are and feel Him restoring you to Himself:
Father God, I thank You for all You have done for me. I love You so much and am needing to feel Your presence with me right now. I have grown a little cold because my focus has shifted to other things. I am so busy, Lord, and I have neglected to spend time in Your arms. I have let the cares of my world consume me and I ask Your forgiveness for that. Remind me that You are before all things, above all things and creator of all things. I desire that You alone would be my focus and all else would shrink in comparison to You, Lord. I want to serve You with my activities and my gifts in any way that You can use me to further Your kingdom. May every breath I take fill me with Your Holy Spirit and every exhale release Your fruit in my life. You are everything to me, Jesus. Let that show forth in all I do. Amen.
Write down some ways You can serve Christ. Let Him use You to show His truth to a dying world. Use the talents he has blessed you with, whatever they may be. If we all step up to the plate, the lies the enemy wants this world to believe can be extinguished with the flood of God's love. Thank Him for Who He is to you.
Join in the forum and give us your "two cents worth". I can't wait to hear it! Come back tomorrow for Day Two in Colossians. Christ, The One Prevailing Truth!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Welcome back!! I am so glad you are with me today! Yesterday's lesson ended in Colossians Chapter 1 with Paul declaring his reason for preaching the Gospel. His desire was to reveal the hidden truth of Jesus Christ to a lost world. His proclamation was to reveal the glory, the hope and the wisdom of God. The ONLY way any human being can be reconciled as perfect before God is through Jesus Christ. Paul made it his mission in life; his very purpose to make sure that truth was spread far and wide. We, as followers of Jesus, are to do the exact same thing.
Matthew 28:19-20 places us on that very same mission. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (NKJ) You may wonder how and by what means you can possibly fulfill such a divine calling. Here in the following Scriptures, you will find the answer:
Micah 6:8- "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (NKJ)
Deuteronomy 10:12-13- "And now, Israel, What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command today for your good."
In a nutshell, The Scriptures tell us to serve Him with justice, mercy and humility. Others will be drawn to you like a moth to a warm light.
2 Corinthians 5:18- "But ALL things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (reconciled us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him." (NKJ)
Living as though we know and love Him serves as our drawing card to bring others into the kingdom. Feel like you're not ready to share your faith? Here is how to get ready:
2 Timothy 3:16-17- "Every Scripture is God breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof, for conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action), so that the man of God may be COMPLETE and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (AMP)
Simple, isn't it? Just get into God's Word! By participating in this study, you are certainly on the right track! If you stay in the Word, becoming trained in righteousness, you will conform to God's will. You will find that you are less likely to waver when false beliefs and teachings are thrown into your path. You will be able to discern between truth and deception.
That was Paul's deepest longing; that the Colossians would become so consumed by the Word of God, they would easily be able to stand strong when false teachings integrated into their midst. By doing so, they would, in turn, fulfill the great commission. They would have the knowledge to exhibit the truth to those who were misled and confused.
When you stay in fellowship that closely with God, you will be eager to share the Love of Christ Jesus! You will have no doubt in the awesome sovereignty of God. You will never forget that He alone is the reason you are here. Even when circumstances in your life are less than perfect, you will know that He has a purpose for it all and you will have faith in a victorious outcome.
"For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." ( Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)
Why would anyone hesitate to serve a God like ours? When one is introduced to the characteristics and person of the One True God, the desire to serve Him and Him alone will eventually (as one grows) far outweigh any alternatives the world has to offer! Division will not be an issue. That was the sole purpose of Paul's letter to the Colossians. He knew if their focus stayed on the One True God, they could lead their community to His grace and forgiveness. They would not be taken in by false religions.
Where do you feel your "weak spot" is when it comes to sharing your faith?
What would help you to overcome that weakness?
What do you suppose made Paul so enthusiastic (even from behind prison walls)?
Pray and ask God for His wisdom and His provision for all you need in order to share His love with others. Trust Him to equip you.
Memorize verses 28-29 in Colossians Chapter 1 and make it your daily mission to fulfill that call. Memorize in your own words so you can easily proclaim it every day. Here is my interpretation of those Scriptures and my goal for service to Him:
"I will proclaim Christ to everyone I come into contact with, using God's wisdom, in order to lead others into fellowship with Him. This is my purpose in life, made possible through His strength alive and working in me."
Please comment in the forum and share what thoughts and insights you have gleaned from today's lesson. Click on the sidebar on the Bible Study Forum link and then click on today's topic to leave your comment.
Have a wonderfully blessed day serving Him!
Starr
Hi! Grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and let's get started on Day 3! In Chapter 2, we see Paul's concern for the Colossians exemplified. Paul had never personally met the people of Colosse or Laodicea, but felt great compassion for them as fellow believers. He had heard of God's truth being modified with infusion of other beliefs to the point of it becoming dangerous to them. He desired for them to have all the blessings and wisdom available only by an accurate understanding of God through Christ Jesus. Oh, that we would have that same burden for the world around us!
Chapter 2 Verse 4 tells us of Paul's fear that the believers were in danger of being deluded by and attracted to false doctrines. We are bombarded today by a myriad of distractions. The secular world attempts to attract us with all sorts of lies. Large companies would have us to believe that we will never be successful unless we drive their vehicles, use their cosmetics, borrow from their line of credit, and wear their clothes. Each and every store claims to have the best products and the lowest prices. The worldly was of thinking says it is not popular to serve in the sidelines. True recognition comes only from being in the spotlight. Such lies are spread before us every day. It can be a struggle to stand for truth in such a society.
Joshua 24:15 plainly tells us what to do: "....choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
The believers in Colosse were living in a land infiltrated with false gods and fake ideals. They were faced with a choice; to serve either the One True God or to fall into the trap of subtle deception. Our culture serves many gods as well. Money, power, prestige, and fame, just to name a few. As believers, we are to trust God to supply our money, our power, and our recognition. We need to keep focused on Him and trust in His provision for our every want and desire; not allowing the tempting attractions of the world we live in to step in and overtake us.
God does want us to enjoy our world and all the good that it offers. After all, He created it just for us. In fact, Jesus came to give us a full and enjoyable life. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have and enjoy life and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (AMP)
That overflowing life comes only through relationship with Jesus Christ. It cannot be obtained any other way. Not through clothing, cars, elaborate homes, or anything else that money can purchase. Anything we can possibly gain through our own efforts will only be temporary. Our true and lasting treasure is Jesus Christ. He brings the blessings into our lives as he sees fit; as we become ready to receive them. All wee have to do is ask and walk in His ways.
*Think of all the things most important to you in your life. Write them down and thank God for them.
More than likely, the things you wrote were not purchased with money or gained through your own power.
Placing too much importance on superficial gain is dangerous. Chapter 2 verse 5 in Colossians commands us to lean our entire personality on Christ. Every human need we have is met through Him. We can have full and complete confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness! Remember reading Jeremiah 29:11 in yesterday's lesson?God wants good things for us! I believe that even includes worldly possessions. He will bless us with those, too, as long as He holds first place in our lives. The key is to desire Him above all else.
Look at Chapter 2 Verse 7. What is your foundation made of? The goal of a Christian is to be TOTALLY rooted and grounded in Christ. (For further study on this, read the lessons I've written on BEING ROOTED IN CHRIST IN 2008, further down on this page)
Our lives are to exemplify an overflowing faith; full of thankfulness for Who God is and All he has done for us. Don't allow the cares of the world to captivate your heart and mind. (See Chapter 2 Verse 8) Stand firm in your foundation! Remain in Him (see verse 10) and live above the mediocre ways of our materialistic society. In Him, you are a new creature! You can be refreshed every day! Look for new opportunities every morning to serve your Creator in thankfulness and joy. He is ALL you need!
"It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His (tender) compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him (inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's Word)." (Lamentations 3:22 AMP)
Crave Him!! Feast on Him!! Be consumed by Him and Him alone!! Not by the lies and cares of the culture. He is the one necessity that will sustain you forever! You can't live abundantly without Him. He is the truth we are all longing to find. We don't have to live in bondage to the ideals of a dying world. We have been freed by the cross (chapter 2 verses 13-23). Freed from judgement (verse 18). Walk proudly in that freedom beginning today!! Believe that God is Who He says he is. Believe that he wants to bless you above and beyond anything this world has to offer.
"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us and is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super-abundantly, far over and above all that we (dare) ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] - To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen!" (Ephesians 3:20 AMP)
Honor Him in ALL you do and you WILL be rewarded!
*Which verse in Chapter 2 stands out the most to you and why?
*Make a list of some superficial "gods" you have allowed into your life. (example: job, hobbies, television, computer, even your family)
*Devise a plan to lower those "gods" on your scale of importance so that nothing comes before God in your life. The correct order for any Christian is The One True God, Spouse, children. relationships (church), career. Remember, God is your provider. Work is not optional, but it is NEVER to come before God and family.
Please leave a comment in the discussion forum and let us know how you are doing. Just click on the Bible Study Forum link in the sidebar and then click on today's topic. (Day 3)
Looking forward to seeing you here again tomorrow!
Enjoy your day in thankfulness to the Lord!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Welcome Back! Get your Bible and turn to Colossians Chapter 3. Read to verse 14. Today we will be discussing walking in the newness of Christ. In this chapter, Paul is basically laying out life application principles. In other words, let's begin practicing what we have learned so far from this study.
In verses 1-4, Paul urges Christians to keep their eyes on the things of Christ. We are called "Christians" because we are new creatures through the saving grace of Jesus. We have died to our old way of life and past ways of thinking. If we are truly walking by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our treasure is (and should be) in eternal matters. We need to always be looking at the big picture. Just as the saying goes, "Don't sweat the small stuff". Guess what? Compared to our relationship with Christ, It's ALL small stuff! That brings us bit of relief, doesn't it?
Verse 2 tells us our minds should be set on what is above. It does NOT tell us to ignore the world around us. In fact, God is very concerned with the world; so much so that he sent Jesus to die that we all might be saved. The point Paul is making here in verse 2 is to place our sights on higher purposes. For example: How does the will of God come into play in each circumstance we encounter? How can we use each trial and every blessing to grow into more mature Christians? How does our particular situation fit into God's plan for our lives? How can we react in a way that will lead a lost soul to Jesus?
That, my friends, is staying focused on the higher things.
People can see where your focus is if they spend any amount of time with you. It's easy to tell if someone is self-absorbed, a workaholic, or compassionate and God-centered. It shows, like it or not. How we handle life reveals our focus.
*Which of the above mentioned categories would those closest to you place you in? (No need to pretend, here. God knows where your focus is. It will help you to grow if you can be honest with yourself.)
Verse 5 gives us a sampling of some misguided thinking. If your treasure lies in unhealthy sexual relationships, selfish desires, or jealousy of what others have, your focus is way out of line. The new creature God designed you to be when you became a Christ follower has not yet been fully developed. You are living in disobedience to God's Word and are, in actuality, no different than before you were saved.
Now, none of us are perfect and we never will be as long as we are on this earth. Even so, our goal is to strive to be like Christ. When we have the desires mentioned in verse 5 (sexual sin, selfish desires, greed, jealousy, idolatry, impurity), and the emotions and habits listed in verses 8-9 (anger, rage, bad attitude, slander, shameful utterances, cursing, lying), we are to take a time-out and renew our minds. How? By digging into the Word of God and gleaning all the knowledge we can of righteous living. (Verse 10-11). We then need to petition God to help us stay focused on Him and remove all the negative thoughts and actions from our lives. Renewing the mind is something that has to be done on a regular basis.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:22-24: "Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness". (AMP)
Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me." (NKJ) We must ask God to get us back on track when we find ourselves derailed. The reason we get off track in the first place is that we become deluded. Things sometimes don't turn out quite the way we think they should. We begin to believe our fleshly thoughts instead of what we know is truth in our spirit.
* Write about a time in your life when you got off track due to disappointment.
*Can you look back now and see God's hand in that situation when you missed it at the time? Why or why not?
You know the old adage "hindsight is 20/20". We can see things in a different light when we have made it through to the other side of a situation.
*Were you able to stay focused on the higher purpose while going through the trial?
*If so, how did that help you to persevere?
It all comes back down to desiring Christ above all else and seeing Him at work in every aspect of your life. Verse 11 tells us that when God looks upon the earth, He sees us all without distinction. That is, if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we need not be envious or judgemental of anyone else's circumstances. We have to trust that whatever comes into our lives can be used for our good. He has blessed us all tremendously in different ways. If we make it all about Him (staying focused on the higher purposes), the difference in those blessings cannot effect us in a negative way.
Read Romans 8:28-30. It says: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom he called, these he also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (NKJ)
Paul urges us in verses 12-14 to live in harmony with one another, bonded by love. Only His love can accomplish that! We are His chosen representatives. People will recognize Him if we keep our focus on Him.
*List the characteristics mentioned in verses 5 and 8. Circle the ones that you deal with in your own life. Ask God to help you to throw off those negativities and replace them with the fruits listed in verses 12-14.
*What positive characteristics do you see in yourself?
Stay in the Word, keep your focus on God and those positive traits will multiply faster than you can imagine!
Please jump into the discussion forum and share what you have learned today. Just click on the Bible Study Forum in the sidebar and click on today's topic. Enjoy your day and I will meet you tomorrow here to study more in the book of Colossians.
Blessings,
Starr
Up to this point, we have learned about Who Jesus is, how to walk in and share the Truth, and how to nourish our relationship with Him. Today, we will begin discussing how to be in God-honoring relationships with other people. Our passage will be Colossians Chapter 3 verses 15-25.
Let's begin with verses 15-17. We are called to live in peace with other human beings. It is easy to live a God-honoring life if it's just you and God. I mean, I can spend the entire day alone (which NEVER actually happens) and stay perfectly peaceful. I can think solely about Jesus and smile constantly. I can be a bright and shining example of God's peace. I can walk around all day singing happy songs and praising God. But, throw in a spouse, some kids, parents, in-laws, siblings, a few co-workers or employees, and a church family and the situation gets a little sticky, right? As soon as I have to deal with an unhappy child, a worn out husband, a needy in-law, a messy house (which I would not have if I were alone!), and a few church obligations, my peace quickly dims to a flicker.
Paul, ironically, writes about peaceful relationship from behind prison walls. I don't know about you, but I doubt I would be a poster child for peace under those circumstances. We are to quick to let our peace be controlled by our circumstances. I believe Paul was able to let God's perfect peace rule in his heart because his attitude was not hindered by his situation. He advises us to do the same in Verse 16. The Word of Christ actually dwelled deeply in him and he was able to hold onto the promise of God's grace and mercy. He knew the truth. He was a martyr for the cause of Christ and he kept his joy in spite of his suffering. He even managed to somehow be thankful in his misery. Oh, how I would love to honor God by having such a steadfast spirit within myself!
Focus on verses 18-21. I have referred to this particular passage many times over the years. When you can make an honest effort to live as Paul requests here, your family life can be so much sweeter! God is the head of the husband. The husband is the head of the wife. When a wife submits to her husband, the Lord will honor and protect her. He will make certain her needs are met. A wife is to look to God for all her needs, not to her husband. No husband is capable of living up to the standards of being solely responsible for his wife's happiness.
Submitting to your husband is in fact submitting to and honoring God. I am not speaking of submitting to abuse. That is not what Paul is saying here at all. He is speaking of a perfect family order. (Notice I did NOT say a "perfect family", There is no such thing.) A God-honoring husband who loves and honors his wife (verse 19) should be loved, honored and submitted to in return. That is God's family plan and I can tell you from experience, it works!
Verses 20-21 show us that children should obey their parents. This pleases God. When parents are living as Christians, honoring God in their marriage, their children are to follow that example. Parents are not to provoke their children. That means to stir up anger in them, belittle them in any way, or discourage them as human beings. This will only break their spirits and cause them to develop low self-esteem. Keep in mind that children are not perfect and we cannot expect them to be. We cannot expect them to act like mature adults. It is our job to teach them how to behave in a Godly manner.
We are to correct our children just as god corrects us as His own children. Tell them what they have done wrong, show them the right way to do it, and punish them, if necessary, without harassing them in a negative way. Then, always show them love after discipline so they will not feel unloved or unwanted.
Following these guidelines every day within your home and family will bless you tremendously. You will be more able to manage your home in a peaceful manner. The relationships within your family walls will be enriched and become highly valued by all who live there.
Relationships outside of the home can also be trying at times. One example is in the workplace. Verses 22-24 remind us that we are to do everything to the glory of God. That includes our job. If you have a job outside of the home and you have a boss who is entirely demanding, don't focus on pleasing him; Please your Creator. Do your best, even when no one is looking. You will be rewarded (Verse 24). You will know in your heart if you need to change jobs or careers. God does not want you to stay in a spiritually unhealthy environment. If you are being dragged down mentally, God has something better in store for you in His divine timing. Hang in there and trust Him to honor you as you serve Him. He will place you in a better situation if you only trust and continue to work hard as unto Him.
In contrast, if we go at our work half-hearted, we cannot expect to reap a reward; earthly or spiritual. God can see when we are being dishonest or lazy, even if the boss misses it altogether. A slack worker reaps negative fruit. Don't walk around with that burden on your conscience. Serve God whole-wholeheartedly in EVERYTHING you do.
One way to live in harmony with other people is to put away your own selfish desires. If we can learn to die daily to carnal thinking, we can get along much better with those around us. Living that way will bring peace and help assure we keep a clean conscience before God.
"But this I confess to you, however, that in accordance with the Way (of the Lord) which they call a [heretical, division-producing] sect, I worship (serve) the God of our fathers, still persuaded of the truth and of believing in and placing full confidence in everything laid down in the Law (of Moses) or written in the prophets;" (Acts 24 14 AMP)
"I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." (Acts 24-15 NKJV)
"Therefor I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men." (Acts 24:16 AMP)
Walking in the truth of God's Word will provide everything you need for life. Having a life of peace does not mean we will never be faced with troubles. Paul lived in good times and in bad, but kept the peace that passes all understanding.
"And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of it's salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with it's earthly lot
of whatever sort that is, THAT peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7 AMP)
Don't place your faith in other people. Love them with your whole heart and treat them as Christ exemplifies with His own life. Look to Him and Him alone to meet your needs, wants and desires. Be His hands and feet and carry His mercy to all those around you. Peace will follow you wherever you go, no matter what circumstances you come up against.
*Do you allow your circumstances to determine your level of peace? Why or Why not?
*Name 4 things that cause you to lose your patience with other people.
*What could be God's purpose for calling you to put the needs of others before your own?
*How does it benefit you spiritually to honor those in authority over you?
*If you have children, does your discipline technique build them up or tear them down? If it tears them down, write some ways you can change your manner of parenting in order to make it more positive.
Thanks for joining me today. Jump in the forum and leave a comment about what you have learned about yourself and God through today's lesson. I hope to see you here again tomorrow as we continue in our study of the book of Colossians together!
Blessings and Peace,
Starr
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The theme for this study is found in Ephesians 3: 17-19 and in Colossians 2: 6-7. It's all about being rooted in Christ! What better way to start off the new year!!? This is your opportunity to take a soil sample from where you are planted. A time to discover what your foundation is really made of. A time to decide how you truly define yourself.
Maybe you think of yourself first as a mom. Maybe as a wife. Maybe a sister or daughter. Maybe you define yourself by what type of job you do. Do those things make you important? Are you completed as a person by the many positions you hold in life? NO WAY!!! All those roles are meaningful, but they DO NOT define who you are.
Some day you will stand alone before God. He will define you, not by those positions, but by who you are as a woman. His daughter. Who are you "in Him"? That is the most vital role you have. That is your most important position!
God can have NO competition in our hearts and minds. Who we are in Him MUST hold first place every day of your busy life. The only way to experience the fullness and security of His love and truth is to habitually practice His presence. So, Prepare to get ROOTED as we journey these next few days together. Feel free to jump in with your thoughts and the insights God gives you as we explore this subject deeper. Just place your comments in the Bible Study Forum (link on the navbar).
I know what you are thinking. You have so many people every second of every day wanting a piece of you. Sometimes you don't know whether you are coming or going. How can you possibly focus on one more obligation and join in this discussion and Bible study? Well, stay with me and I will tell you tomorrow just how to do it! Meanwhile, why don't you start a journal as I pose questions to you so you can keep a record of the many exciting things you are about to discover. I know you will be glad you did. Remember, Join in. This is a forum, open for any woman who feels the need to learn how to be rooted in Christ this new year of 2008. Let's learn together! Remember to place your comments and insights in the Bible Study Forum (link on the navbar).
Following are a few questions to ponder. You may answer them in your journal or just in your heart and mind, but answer them regardless. You will learn some things about yourself along the way.
Read Ephesians 3:16-19: "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Read Colossians 2:6-7: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as lord, continue to live in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Where am I planted?
What is my foundation made of?
How do I define myself?
Use my article above to fill int the following blanks:
God defines me by who I am _____ _______.
God can have no _____________ in my heart and mind.
He must hold ___________ _____________ in my life.
I am so busy, how can I possibly make Him a priority in my life? Find out tomorrow! See ya then!!
Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your discoveries yesterday! Did you learn anything about yourself? I did.
Here are the answers to the fill-in-the-blank questions from yesterday:
God defines me by who I am "in Him". God can hove no "competition" in my heart and mind. He must hold "first place" in my life.
As promised, today I am going to begin showing you how to give Him first place in your busy life! Believe me, it IS possible. There are nine ways to do it. I am going to give you the first three today. Get ready! These tips will teach you simple rituals that will bring the presence of Christ into your life, no matter how hectic it may be! Here we go!
1) When your alarm clock goes off every morning, open your eyes and say out loud, "This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Go ahead. Shout it out right now! (Unless you are at work. In that case, just say it in a whisper, but SAY IT!!) Commit to living in gratitude for the day, just one day at a time. You will have a joyful day walking in His presence!
2) As you shower, pray to be cleansed of any feelings of negativity such as anger, bitterness, regret, insecurity, or resentment. Focus on Isaiah 58:11 which says, " The Lord will guide you continually.... you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail." Quote this verse saying "I" in place of the word "you". " Feel the Holy Spirit washing away the negative and covering you with God's love.
3) As you brush your teeth, (as I assume you do every morning!) Think of Psalm 51:15. and declare,"O Lord, open my mouth that I might show forth Your praise!" Be always ready to praise Him. Ask that every word you speak be pleasing to Him. Not sure you always know the right things to say? Ask Him before you speak. Psalm 81:10 tells us to just be willing to open your mouth and HE WILL gives us words of wisdom. You may say just the very thing a friend needs to hear! Repeat these words: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, My Rock and my Redeemer". ( Psalm 49:3)
Write these rituals down in your journal. When you write something down, it tends to stay in your mind a little better. Look up the scripture references in your Bible. PLEASE try these things. They will start you out on the right path each day. I know first-hand, as I do them myself every day. There is no better guarantee for a glorious day! When you start it out in the presence of the One who gave it to you, Oh, how blessed you will begin to feel!
I am so glad you chose to join me today in continuing this wonderful journey! I hope to see you tomorrow when we will discover the next three ways to live in His presence day by day. Remember to join in the discussion through the Bible study forum link on the lefthand side in the nav bar. Just click on the topic and post your thoughts and comments.
Have a blessed day in Him!!
Glad you joined us today! Did you get up this morning and do the first three steps? I sure hope so! If you did, I'm sure you are feelin' His presence already! Now, for steps 4-6.
4) While you are driving, ask the Holy Spirit to "steer" you through your day. Take several deep breaths to "breathe Him in". Go ahead. Try it now. It will release your burdens and replace any anxiety you may be feeling with His calming presence. Focus on breathing in Jesus and breathing out worry, fear, anxiousness, and sadness. Instead of thinking about your "to do' list, think about your "to be" list. Set out each day to be compassionate, positive, diligent, and calm. Think grace-filled thoughts! Think in line with His thoughts. How do you know His thoughts? By studying His Word. Actively FEEL His presence.
5) With each step you take throughout this day, focus on all the many blessings in your life. Thank Him for each one. As you climb stairs, count your blessings along the way. Be aware that each one counted is a gift to you personally from God. How cool is that! What a wonderful revelation of His love for you!! Feel His Presence. Feel His love. Feel His arms around you, surrounding you with protection and grace . You are engulfed in His Love today! Accept it!
6) This one may be slightly hard for us as women to pull off, but listen closely........ STOP Multi-Tasking!!! Do you hear me? Stop it from this moment on!!!! Focus only on one thing at a time. Do each task prayerfully. Offer your work as a gift to God. Ask for His grace to complete each task meaningfully and without anxiety. Where the presence of the Lord is, there is peace.
Multi-Tasking only causes distress. I know from lots of experience. I am the queen of that kingdom!! Recently, I was so proud of myself for accomplishing so much so early in the day. I had done a load of laundry, emptied and reloaded the dishwasher, put on a pot of water to boil for tea, and started my homeschool day with my son. We were in the middle of a devotion when I smelled something strange. I asked my 5 year old about it and he had noticed it also. I was sure something must have landed on the heating element in the dishwasher, so I investigated. That wasn't it. I closed the dishwasher door, turned around and saw smoke pouring from the stove! In my proud state of accomplishment, I had totally forgotten the boiling water on the stove top! The pot had boiled completely dry and was black in the bottom! It was only seconds from bursting into flames!!
That, my friends, is what multi-tasking does for you! It accomplishes nothing, but risks everything.
Get your Bible out and read the verses I am posting below. Soak them in and don't forget to read and review our main scripture references: Ephesians 3:16-19 and Colossians 2:6-7.
Psalm 37:23- "The steps of a good man are directed and established by the Lord when he delights in his way (and He busies himself with his every step.)"
John 16:33- "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."
Colossians 3:16-17- "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. "
In your journal today, write about the things you "breathed out" and the release you felt when Jesus replaced those things with His presence. Write about the things you are thankful for and also your insights about how the Holy Spirit may be steering you in a different direction that you originally had in mind.
How might that new direction be a blessing in your life?
How might your purpose be changing or becoming clearer to you?
Please feel free to share your thoughts with us by clicking on the Bible Study Forum link on the sidebar of my home page. I would love to hear about your insights and what you may be learning from this study. Join me again tomorrow as I reveal steps 7-9!
Have a blessed day in Christ! See ya tomorrow!
Love,
Starr
Welcome!!! Today we will discover steps 7-9. Isn't that exciting?!! You have learned something new every day! I am proud of you for digging deeper into God's Word. Doing that is the most rewarding thing there is! Ready, Set Go!..................
7) When you are stressed, don't automatically reach for those chips or that chocolate candy bar. (or in my case, that tall, cold glass of Dr. Pepper!) Don't run out to Walmart and "power-shop" in order to gain instant gratification. WAIT ONE MINUTE. Look at your watch, computer clock or set a timer RIGHT NOW. Sit in silence for one minute. Give God that minute and ask for His calming grace. Chances are, after that one minute has passed, your urge for gratification will have passed too! If you do give in to the temptation of chocolate or shopping, forgive yourself. God did. Just strive to do better next time. Remember, the gratification that comes from His presence is everlasting; Chocolate is wonderful, but it only satisfies for a short time.
8) Take a "walk break" for five or ten minutes when things get really hectic. use the time to meditate on Him. breathe deeply. Listen to the sounds of nature around you. Take in the vision of your surroundings. Notice the beauty. Converse with your creator. Focus on the presence of Jesus.
9) As you prepare meals, be thankful for all the dear souls that have "nourished" you over the years. Ask God to bless them each. Ask Him to help you "nourish" others by leading them into His presence and encouraging them through life.
There you have it!! Those nine habits alone can keep you constantly aware of His presence. Knowing Him is different from experiencing Him. Carry Him with you. Immerse yourself in Him. Settle into Him. Remain secure in Him. Once you have received Him as your savior, conform to Him. Just like a newborn baby conforms to his mother's breast. Just like a contour mattress conforms to the shape of your body.
The word "conform" means "to be in constant agreement with. to become the same in form or character, to be made like or similar to." Conformity brings Harmony. Harmony brings Comfort. Comfort makes life easier! Who doesn't LOVE to be comfortable?!
In your journal today, write about some of the things that are stressing you. Give them to Jesus. Sit in silence for a minute and dwell on Him. Fill in the blanks by reading over the paragraphs above and write the answers in your journal.
_______ Him is different from __________ Him.
__________to Him. Conformity brings __________. Harmony brings___________. Comfort makes life ______________.
Feel free to leave your insights on the Bible study Forum. Just click on the topic you want to discuss and jump right in. The forum link is found in the sidebar to the left. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we dig deeper into this subject and learn about what it really means to be "rooted" in Christ! Can't wait to see ya there!
Blessings,
Starr
Hi again!! Glad you are here! First, let's go over the fill-in-the-blank answers from yesterday:
KOWING Him is different from EXPERIENCING Him.
CONFORM to Him. Conformity brings HARMONY. Harmony brings COMFORT. Comfort makes life EASIER.
I hope you wrote in your journals. That is what will really make the point stick with you and you will always remember what God is revealing.
We left off yesterday talking about conforming to Christ. If you are in conformity to Him, you have taken root. The goal is for your roots to be firmly fixed, way down deep, not just barely penetrating the surface. That fixation is what holds you in place. In that place, you are abiding in Him. He is your foundation. He is part of every second of your day. Those deep roots are what will hold you strong in that foundation when the storms of life come. Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. It says: "Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain."
Pain and stress are a form of labor. When we face such things, and we will throughout this year, we must stand firm, knowing that He is our strength! Isn't that awesome!! We don't have to be strong in our own strength, HE IS OUR STRENGTH!!!! All we have to do is give ourselves and our worries to Him and stand firmly on Him as our foundation!! To me, that is a very comforting verse of scripture. Remember from yesterday............ Comfort makes life easier!
A root is also a source of nourishment. Nourishment brings strength. The deeper you are rooted in Christ, the more your strength increases! The stronger you become, the more you begin to grow. You become established. You find your purpose. You can fly through life like the mighty eagle, strong in God's power!
"To Root" can also mean to "turn over, to expose an entirely new layer". I'm sure you've heard the phrase " the pigs rooted up the garden". That means everything is turned over; a new layer has been uncovered. The roots have been exposed. Use this bible study today as an opportunity to turn things around, detach from the trivial things you define yourself by, and establish a stronger root system.
What better way to turn things around in your life than to focus totally on becoming a woman filled to overflowing with God Himself?!! Nothing else can be so satisfying!! He is better than chocolate!! The goal is to be planted DEEPLY in Him, not just penetrating the surface. Make God Himself your home; your place of comfort.
Journal today about a storm you may be going through and write a prayer to your Father in heaven about what you need from Him and what he wants you to do in order to overcome it standing strong in His strength.
Use what I have written in the passage above to fill in the following blanks. Record your answers in your journal. We will go over them tomorrow.
When I have conformed to Him, I have taken ________.
I am fixed and abiding in Him. That makes Him my _______________. A root is a source of _______________. Nourishment brings _________. Strength brings_____________. Growth brings_____________. Establishment brings____________. I desire to be a woman filled to _________________ with Him!!!!
Read Isaiah 54:14- " In righteousness you shall be established; Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed. It will not come near you."
Hang onto those promises given to us in that scripture and don't forget to journal your thoughts. Jump into the forum I have set up for this study and share your insights with us! See ya tomorrow!! Blessings,
Starr
Here we are again!!! I'm so glad to have you with me!! Yesterday we ended with a statement about making Christ your home. Today I will give you some ways to do just that. But first, we need to cover the answers from the fill-in-the- blank questions from yesterday:
When I have conformed to Him, I have taken ROOT. I am fixed and abiding in him. That makes Him my FOUNDATION. A root is a source of NOURISHMENT. Nourishment brings STRENGTH. Strength brings GROWTH. Growth brings ESTABLISHMENT. Establishment brings PURPOSE. I desire to be a woman filled to OVERFLOWING with Him!!!
Now, just how do you make Christ your home? By being CONSTANTLY aware of His presence. Don't ignore the fact that He is there, every step of the way. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that Jesus is ALWAYS with us. He NEVER leaves us. Hebrews 4:2b says that if we don't have a believing faith that He is there, an awareness of His constant presence, then we can't reap the blessings of being rooted in Him. Always welcome Him. into even the most minute details of your life. You can start by practicing the 9 steps I mentioned and go from there. You'll be amazed at how soon it becomes second nature to constantly seek Him. He will be your nourishment. You will hunger for more of Him each day. Psalm 42: 1-2 says: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"
Be desirous of Him just like you are for that big, cold Dr. Pepper, or that wonderful chocolate candy bar with nuts and caramel. Well, those are my two weaknesses anyway! I'm sure you have your own, but crave Him just as strongly as you do your favorite things. The more you seek Him the more you will find He is addicting! You won't be able to start your day without Him being the first thing you think about as soon as you become conscious every morning!
Imagine yourself moving through a very large crowd. You are holding the hand of your child, or maybe your spouse. You see people all around you, but you are most aware of your partner. You remain mostly focused on that hand you are holding. You grasp it tightly, securely bonding yourselves together so neither of you gets lost in the shuffle. You both feel safe as long as you stick together. Neither of you even entertain the thought of loosening that grip, severing that bond, for fear of becoming separated. You have stability during all the hustle and bustle just knowing you're together. You feel safe.
Even in the midst of total chaos, you are with Him and he is with you. You are VERY aware of His presence. He is that hand you are holding on to. No matter what happens, you don't let go. You stay stable. You are established. You are fulfilled. You are secure. That's what being totally rooted in Christ is like!! That is what it feels like when you have made Him your home!! It is such an awesome feeling of assurance, security and completeness!!
Try it today. Be totally AWARE of Him. Feel His Presence. Revelations 3:20 says: " Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I WILL come in to him and sup with him, and he with Me." WOW!!!! What a promise!! He is just waiting for us to acknowledge Him. Even if you have accepted His free gift of salvation, you still have to invite Him to be a part of every second of your day. He is right there with you, PLEASE talk to Him. Follow His guidance. Let Him tell you how to handle adversities in your life. He know the right things to do even when you are at a dead end. He knows your final outcome. Ask Him about any problem you are facing and listen for His answer. Let peace be your umpire. That means to ask Him and then when you feel at peace with your decision, then that is your answer.
WOW!!! I am pumped up just resting in that!! Makes me wonder why I ever worry about anything. He has it all under control!! I am so glad He is my home, my stability and my security!!
Tomorrow we will talk about the wonderful benefits we gain from being rooted and grounded in Him. During your quiet time with Him today, Close your eyes and focus on holding His hand. Ignore the chaos around you. Feel His security and protection. Here are some scriptures and fill-in-the-blank questions for you to put in your journal. Don't forget to jump in with me on the Bible Study Forum. I love hearing from you.
I'll see you tomorrow!!
I will _______________ be aware of His _____________.
I desire to be a woman filled to ____________________ with Him!!!
Ephesians 3:16-19- " I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge__ that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Colossians 2:6-7- " So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
2 Chronicles 20 : 20b- " Believe in the Lord your God and YOU SHALL BE ESTABLISHED; Believe and REMAIN steadfast to His prophets and you shall prosper." ( Emphasis mine, Focus on these words!)
Blessings,
Starr
Hi! This will be the last day for this particular Bible Study, but don't fret!! I'll have more coming!! First on the agenda will be the answers for yesterday's fill-in-the-blanks.
I will CONSTANTLY be aware of His PRESENCE. I desire to be a woman filled to OVERFLOWING with Him!!!
Now that you have examined where you are planted, Practiced the 9 steps, Learned where to take root, and Chosen Christ as your home,Why don't you go ahead and transplant yourself!! You should be ready now that you have learned some helpful techniques. Become rooted in your Savior, Jesus Christ. When you do completely give Him every second of every day, all the blessings He has received from the Father become yours!!! How exciting is that!!!!!! God will see you by your faith through the righteousness of Jesus.
Romans 4:4 says," However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. " That tells me that my faith in Christ allows me to be seen by God as righteous!! We only have to have a strong believing faith in Christ and give Him our heart, soul and mind. We do not have to earn that righteousness. It is given to us if we only believe and give God FIRST PLACE in our lives. Stay rooted in Him. Have Him as your foundation. Practice His presence. What wonderful blessings we will receive in return because of His great love for us!!
Hebrews 13:5 says," Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'NEVER will I leave you or forsake you, NEVER will I forsake you.'"
That tells me that God is ALWAYS by my side!!! I can FEEL His presence!! I have faith that Christ is always with me!! I am ready to receive the blessings that come from being ROOTED in Him!!!
Here are your benefits. Claim them out loud today!!
1) I am complete!
(Colossians 2:10-"and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.")
2) I am a new creature!
(2 Corinthians 5:17-"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!.")
3) My spirit is alive!!
(Romans 8:10- "But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.")
4) I will be fruitful!
(John 15:5-"I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.")
5) My prayers will be answered!
(John 15:7-" If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.")
6) I will recognize His voice and obey only Him!!
(1 John 3:24-"Those who obey His commandments live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know he lives in us: we know it by the spirit he gave us.")
When I walk "in Him", His footprints are my foundation!!!
I now define myself as a woman who is "One With Christ"!!
Amen and Amen!!!!! Please jump in the Bible study Forum and tell us how this study has helped you grow in Christ.
Love and Blessings,
Starr