Learning to Walk with God Bible Study

Step by Step: Learning to Walk with God
A MOMS Study

Susan Curry
Biblical Studies Press
Step by Step: Learning to Walk with God
Copyright © 2005, revised edition Copyright © 2009 by Susan Curry
Do not reproduce without permission.
Scriptures quoted by permission.

Quotations designated “NET” are from the NET Bible.
Copyright © 2003 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.netbible.com
All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois  60189. All rights reserved.

About the Author
Susan Curry is the teacher of the MOMS Bible study, a spiritual mentoring ministry to moms of young children, at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. She received a master’s degree in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. Her passion is to teach God’s Word and to see women build their lives and their homes on the solid foundation of biblical truth.

About This Study Guide 
Step into the Story

Each week we will study a particular Bible character and Bible story that highlight a biblical principle relating to our walk with God. This section focuses on observation, the foundation of inductive Bible study. These observation questions are designed to encourage you to notice the details in the story. Ideally, you will enter the story, step into the biblical world, and identify with the people you are reading about.

Occasionally, I will ask other types of questions to stimulate your curiosity. I am not as concerned with your exact answer as I am with your thinking through an issue. Because of the length of the study, I am leaving out some interesting interpretive issues that do not directly relate to the topic of walking with God. I encourage you to delve further into any questions that are raised in your mind by your study of these passages. I would be thrilled to know that you went to the church library or a Christian bookstore to learn more about a particular subject!

Journey through the Principle
The second section in each lesson focuses on interpretation, the second step in inductive Bible study. I have chosen a principle in each story for our focus on walking with God. Since we are dealing with narratives, special guidelines apply. First, repetition is the most reliable guide to the interpretation of a story. What is repeated in the story is what we need to know in order to understand it.[1] Second, we look to see if that principle is taught in other passages of Scripture. Not everything in a story applies to us today. Any interpretation must be in agreement with the rest of the Bible.[2] Interpretation is the bridge between the biblical world and our present-day contexts or situations.[3].

Walk It Out in Life and Walk It Out in Parenting
These sections focus on application, the third step in inductive Bible study. The goal of studying Scripture is not knowledge but a transformed life. That transformed life occurs as we apply the biblical principles we have studied. In the parenting section, I will give an example or I may ask you to share ideas with the other members of your Bible study or small group. Most of the ideas I am giving you came out of a Bible study or small group in which moms shared parenting philosophy and parenting tips. Take an idea, change it a little, and make it work for you!

Hold His Hand
I began this study wondering what the individual biblical characters believed about God and how this belief impacted each one’s life. So as I studied, I looked for what the story said about God. How did God reveal Himself? What did the characters say about God? What did the narrator tell me that God did? This section highlights what I found.

Several years ago, I looked at how God had changed my life and what He had used to make me more like Him. I realized that learning about, dwelling on, and reminding myself of the sovereignty of God had made me less fearful. As I went against my emotions and gut feelings and was obedient to Him in spite of my fears, my faith was strengthened.

As you look at the names and descriptions of God from these stories, allow them to penetrate your heart. Hold God’s hand as you walk up a steep slope or cross a ravine. Cling to Him with every fiber of your being. Remind yourself of who He is!


Thus says the LORD,
"Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16a (NASB)


This is a personal Bible study that I am doing. I encourage you to do it as well. Please note our answers and prayers may differ. God works within each us differently as we are all unique. The answers (that aren't Bible verses) are my own. The prayers are from my heart and in lieu of my daily walk with God. I encourage you while doing this study to be completely honest in your prayers and seek Gods guidance as you go through each lesson. I also encourage you to move slowly through the study and give each lesson time to 'sink in' and thoroughly renew your mind. Any questions or confusing parts - goto God. Explain your feelings, your confusion.. He will answer you. He will give you what you need. All you have to do is ask.. All of my answers (and some Bible verses) and prayers are highlighted or in another color, so as to not confuse my writings with the true author of this study. This is a 9 week study and will post each week as I complete them.


Week One
Noah: Walking in Obedience


Step into the Story


The story of Noah and the Flood is a well-known Bible story. Children’s nurseries are decorated with a Noah’s ark theme. Artists craft wooden arks with pairs of animals and Noah standing on the deck. Paintings and pieces of jewelry also depict this biblical narrative. Since this story is so familiar, a visual image probably comes to mind when Noah is mentioned.

As we look at the story in more detail, refine that image and at the same time try to put yourself in the story. Narratives are meant to be experienced, not merely studied. Imagine the sounds of building and the smell of freshly cut wood as Noah built what God had designed. Try to imagine what it would be like to be married to Noah. Would your faith be as strong as his was?


Conditions on the earth before the Flood.
Read Genesis 6:1-22

1. Why was the Lord grieved as He considers the condition of the people on the earth? (v.5-6) What did He determine to do? (v.7)
a).  5The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. (amp)
Men were evil and did not seek God, they chose to live wickedly and outside of Gods instructions.  
b.)  7So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground--not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air--for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them. (amp)

God decided to destroy everything and everyone – except Noah and family and enough animals to re-multiply the world. He decided to start over with all living things.

2. The word “but” in v.8 introduces a contrast. Against the backdrop of the wickedness of the world, how is Noah described? (v.9)
a.)  9This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God. (amp)



3. What words does the author use to describe the earth in v.11-12? Notice that one word is used repeatedly. What is it?
a.) 11The earth was depraved and putrid in God's sight, and the land was filled with violence (desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power).12And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction.(amp)
 11The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. (kjv)
b.) corrupt – adj. immoral or dishonest, especially as shown by the exploitation of a position of power or trust for personal gain; extremely immoral or depraved // verb. transitive and intransitive verb to become dishonest, or destroy or compromise somebody's morality or honesty; transitive and intransitive verb to become immoral or depraved, or cause somebody to become immoral or depraved

4. What did God tell Noah to do? How specific were His building plans? (v.13-16) How large was the ark?
a.) 14Make yourself an ark of gopher or cypress wood; make in it rooms (stalls, pens, coops, nests, cages, and compartments) and cover it inside and out with pitch (bitumen). (amp)

b.) Very specific.
c.) 15And this is the way you are to make it: the length of the ark shall be 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits [that is, 450 ft. x 75 ft. x 45 ft.].16You shall make a roof or window [a place for light] for the ark and finish it to a cubit [at least 18 inches] above--and the door of the ark you shall put in the side of it; and you shall make it with lower, second, and third stories.


5. Why did God bring the Flood upon the earth? (v.17)
17For behold, I, even I, will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy and make putrid all flesh under the heavens in which are the breath and spirit of life; everything that is on the land shall die.
To destroy all flesh and everything under the Heavens

6. Notice in v.18 the word “but” which introduces another contrast. Although God was going to destroy the earth and its inhabitants, what did He promise Noah and his family? (v.18)
18But I will establish My covenant (promise, pledge) with you, and you shall come into the ark--you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you.
He promised that Noah and his family would enter the ark and be saved from the flood.



7. What would Noah take on the ark according to v.19-21? How did Noah respond to God’s instructions? (v.22)
a.) 19And of every living thing of all flesh [found on land], you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20Of fowls and birds according to their kinds, of beasts according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind--two of every sort shall come in with you, that they may be kept alive.  21Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and you shall collect and store it up, and it shall serve as food for you and for them.
2 of every living thing on earth (animals) and every sort of food that was eaten
b.) 22Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Noah did everything God said.
8. How would you describe the world we live in today? Could you use any of the same descriptions that are used in this passage?
a.) Genesis 6:11-12 describes the world I live in exactly. I couldn’t have said it any better.
11The earth was depraved and putrid in God's sight, and the land was filled with violence (desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power).12And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction.
b.) In my opinion every word can be used.

9. Could that description of the world today be followed by the contrast made in verse 8? In other words, could someone describe the world situation today and then follow it with the words “but (fill in your name here)?” Are you an exception to the rule of what the world thinks about, values, and pursues? Are you willing to be different or do you just want to fit in with the rest of the world?
a.) Yes- with God all things are possible.
b.) I am a work in progress – I used to be just like the world.. The way I think, the things I value and my pursuits have changed. I am not wholly consecrated to God, BUT I do have a personal relationship with Him, and have an active, daily relationship with Him.
c.) I am willing to be different. I pray for continual renewing of my mind, so that I may become more and more like Jesus.


Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but to trust the Lord means safety.
Proverbs 29:25 NLT



Read Genesis 7 and 8. As you read, notice the answers to the questions who, what, where, when, why, and how. Also read Genesis 9:8-17 to see the significance of the rainbow.

1. Write a summary of the Flood narrative for a newspaper article a few years after the Flood. Write a creative headline and then report the story as it might appear on the front page of the Biblical Times. 
Who- God, Noah & Family (wife, 3 sons, @ daughter-in-laws), mankind, living creatures
What- Great flood
Where- Earth, the ark
When- Men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born unto them
Why- Human thinking was continuously evil.
How- Fountains of the great deep were broken up and burst forth; windows and floodgates of the heavens were opened.
Result-  God promised the waters will no more become a flood to destroy and make all flesh corrupt. The rainbow is to serve as a reminder of this promise.


OR


2. Write out the story of the Flood as you would tell it to your child or grandchild who is a pre-schooler. Begin your story with “A long, long time ago“ or  “In the days of the Bible” as opposed to “Once upon a time.” This will help a young child distinguish it from a fairy tale or from a story that is merely a story and not a historical fact. In your summary, you might want to include answers to questions like these.


On the ark 1 year and 10 days

How old was Noah when the Flood occurred? 600-601

How many people survived the Flood? 8- Noah and wife, 3 sons and 3 sons wives

Who closed the door when the Flood was about to begin? God

Was the Flood caused only by rain? No, Fountains of the great deep were broken up and burst forth; windows and floodgates of the heavens were opened.

How long did it flood? 40 days and 40 nights (waters prevailed [mightily] upon the earth or land 150 days)

What animals helped Noah know when it was time to leave the ark? Raven and doves

What was the first thing Noah did after he left the ark? Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean [four-footed] animal and of every clean fowl or bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Journey through the Principle


Noah was a righteous person who followed God and obeyed Him in a world where everyone else was being disobedient. Noah was able to stand for righteousness in a wicked, corrupt culture.


1. Try to put yourself in Noah’s place (or in Mrs. Noah’s place). How do you think you would feel being married to someone who was building a boat the size of a small two or three story building? Would you be thrilled to know that your husband stood for righteousness and obedience or would you wish he were “normal”?
a.) Today, I would support my husband - I would pray and seek God for guidance and wisdom to combat any doubts or fears I may have.
b.) Today, I would be grateful for a husband that loves God and is obedient and righteous.

2. Is Noah’s example one we can follow? Look up the following verses and observe what Scripture says about being different, being obedient, and not blending in with the world system. Write out a command or principle you discover in each verse.
a.) Yes.

Matthew 5:16

16Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [a]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [b]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

Be of moral excellence, show praiseworthy, noble and good deeds. Recognize, honor, praise and glorify God so that Gods light will shine before men.

Philippians 2:14-16
14Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [[a]against God] and [b]questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
    15That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,
    16Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.
Without complaint and cynicism, be blameless in everything, so that I may be seen as a light in a dark world, spreading the good news of Jesus to all men.



1 Peter 2:11-12
11Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.
    12Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [[a]when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].
Be different from the world and their beliefs, abstain from lustful desires. Be honorable and righteous among unbelievers, although they lie against you, so that they will see Gods glory through your good deeds and guiltless lifestyle.


Romans 12:2

2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

 My life verse!
Live in this world, but do NOT believe as the world believes. Do not live as the world lives. Seek God and learn of Him through His Word so that you will find out what is true and honorable and will bring glory to God!

Walk It Out in Life


What can we, as women in the 21st century, learn from the example of Noah and his family? As I reflected on Noah’s example of obedience, I thought about the things God has told me to do. To walk with God I need to obey Him. I need to be “light” in a dark world. I need to submit to my husband. I need to rear my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Although God has not asked me to build an ark, He has asked me to do something that is very challenging. He has asked me to be faithful day by day in being a godly wife. He has asked me to persevere and to trust Him as a godly mother. How many times have I wanted a place to escape to in order to take a break from the responsibilities of being a wife and mother! Being obedient and faithful is a daily commitment. Although the greatest joys in my life have been derived from these two roles, some days I was just hanging in there without much joy.

I remember when our sons were young—three years old and a baby. The youngest son had ear infections—two by the time he was a month old and many more to follow. When his ears hurt, he cried. He didn’t sleep. I didn’t sleep. Are you getting the picture? One day my husband came home at lunch time and I was still in my robe. I hadn’t put on any makeup and I was pretty discouraged. My three-year-old son informed my husband that I was going to the “funny farm” because I had told him that in my great frustration. I remember telling the Lord one day that if He would tell me how long this would last that I could make it. I just needed a timetable. Two weeks. Two months. Six months. (I didn’t go into years in my discussion). Almost as soon as that thought was expressed, I sensed the Holy Spirit reminding me that there was no timetable. I could not check days off the calendar and know that there was an end in sight. I would have to trust God. I would have to faithfully obey Him even when I didn’t feel like it and even when I was extremely tired.

Will you choose to obey God in whatever He has called you to do? Will you follow Him instead of following and conforming to the world’s standards? (Note: being countercultural may cause you to live differently from the church subculture, also.)


To walk with God, we must obey Him.
Otherwise, we depart from His path for our lives.


Write a prayer of commitment to the Lord expressing your desire to obey Him.

 

 Dear Heavenly Father,


I pray for a commitment of faith like Noah’s. I pray for the ability to obey your every command. Without complaint.  I pray for a relationship with You that is first and foremost in all of my life. I ask for continuous growth and a growing hunger for you that never fades. I pray that You give me the ability to do whatever You call me to do.  I ask to remain faithful day by day and to persevere as a godly wife, mother, daughter, sibling, and neighbor.  I pray to be more obedient to You and Your will. I pray for continuous renewing of my mind according to Your will and purpose. Thank you dear Lord. Thank you for everything You have already done, everything You are going to do and everything that You are!
In Jesus’ Name I pray these things.
Amen.

 
Walk It Out in Parenting


Just as Noah was obedient to God in a wicked world, we are called to be obedient in the world in which we live. Not only do we as women want to stay on the right path, we also want our children to be obedient. A pressing concern for moms is that their children are being negatively influenced by peer pressure. Although we want our children to stand up to peer pressure, we often face the same temptation of wanting to fit in, to be like everyone else. Are you willing to be God’s person even if it means you will differ from the world? What if doing right means you don’t fit in very well, even with other Christians? Let’s look at the book of Proverbs to see what it has to say about peer pressure.


1.      Read Proverbs 1:10-19.
10My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
11If they say, Come with us; let us lie in wait [to shed] blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause [and show that his piety is in vain];
12Let us swallow them up alive as does Sheol (the place of the dead), and whole, as those who go down into the pit [of the dead];
13We shall find and take all kinds of precious goods [when our victims are put out of the way], we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14Throw in your lot with us [they insist] and be a sworn brother and comrade; let us all have one purse in common--
15My son, do not walk in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path;
16For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird!
18But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives.
19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain; such [greed for plunder] takes away the lives of its possessors.

A. What specific negative commands (“do not”) does the father give?  do not consent, do not walk in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path

B. Do you think it would be beneficial to help your children “pre-think” possible situations where they might be pressured to go against what they have been taught?  yes

C. Notice that the father even gives a dialogue that might take place when someone might try to pressure his son into doing wrong. 11If they say, Come with us; let us lie in wait [to shed] blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause [and show that his piety is in vain];12Let us swallow them up alive as does Sheol (the place of the dead), and whole, as those who go down into the pit [of the dead];13We shall find and take all kinds of precious goods [when our victims are put out of the way], we shall fill our houses with plunder;14Throw in your lot with us [they insist] and be a sworn brother and comrade; let us all have one purse in common--





2. Look up the following verses to see some kinds of people both we and our children should avoid as companions.


Proverbs 13:20
20He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart for it. (amp)
20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (kjv)

Fool – noun/adj. - somebody considered to lack good sense or judgment
Proverbs 14:7
7Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. (amp)
7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.(kjv)

Proverbs 20:19
19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely. (amp)
 19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (kjv)

Talebearer- noun. -somebody who informs against other people or spreads malicious rumors
Proverbs 22:24-25
24Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, 25Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare (amp)
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (kjv)

Hold His Hand


We saw in Proverbs some specific things we can do to help both us and our children remain obedient to God. Another key to being obedient is found in knowing the character of the One who has called us to be obedient. Although Noah does not make a verbal declaration about what he believes about the LORD, the narrator tells us something about God’s character – something which Noah would experience and something we can experience as we are obedient to God.

In Genesis 8:1, we read that although the water had prevailed for 150 days, “God remembered Noah…”  As you look around and as you observe the world we live in, do you need to be reminded that God has not forgotten His promises? Not only has God not forgotten His promises, but He also has not forgotten His children. God not only remembered Noah, He also remembers you. Regardless of how desperate the situation seems, God remembers His children. Knowing that He is the God who remembers can encourage you to be obedient to Him, especially when it is difficult.

Recall that God did not deliver Noah from the Flood but through the Flood. Have you asked God to deliver you out of a situation? I certainly have. Perhaps God wants to bring you through the trial rather than deliver you out of the trial. Knowing God and knowing who He is brings great encouragement in difficult times. Kidner states that “when the Old Testament says God remembered, it combines the ideas of faithful love and timely intervention.”[4]

Do you need to call on the God who remembers as you strive to obey Him? Will you choose to thank Him today for His faithful love and timely intervention in your life?

Dear Lord,
Please help me to obey your every command. Just as Noah did. Please help me to be a thankful and humble servant, never forgetting your faithful love and timely intervention. Help me to heed your instructions in the Bible and to be a light in my home and in the world. Help me to get through my trials growing and learning from them according to Your will and purpose.
In Jesus’ Name I pray
Amen
10/27/11



Week Two
Abraham: Walking in Faith


Step into the Story


God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees (modern day Iraq) to go to a land that He would show him. Abraham had obeyed and had walked with God for many years. He believed God and the promise that God gave him concerning a son. God declared Abraham righteous based on that belief. Yet he and Sarah had taken matters into their own hands and tried to “help” God by producing a son through their servant Hagar. But God provided Isaac, the son He promised to Abraham and Sarah. The story we want to look at this week is the test of Abraham’s faith when God called him to sacrifice Isaac, the son through whom God would honor His promises to Abraham.
Abraham Offers Isaac
Read Genesis 22:1-19

1. What was God’s command to Abraham? (v.2) How did Abraham respond? (v.3) a.) 2[God] said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.
Abraham was to sacrifice his only son.
b.) 3So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and then began the trip to the place of which God had told him.
Abraham obeyed His every word.

2. What did Abraham tell the young men when he could see his destination? (v.5) Copy his exact words. 5And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and [a]come again to you.

Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and [a]come again to you.

3. What things did Abraham and Isaac take with them as they walked on together? (v.6) What was missing if they were to make a sacrifice to the Lord? (v.7)  A.)   6Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of ] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together.
Wood for the burnt offering, Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot), a knife
b.) 7And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice?
lamb for the burnt sacrifice.
4. How did Abraham respond to Isaac’s question? What did Abraham believe about God? How did this statement reveal Abraham’s faith? (v.8)
a.) 8Abraham said, My son, [b]God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together.
God will provide the sacrifice.
b.) That God would provide a sacrifice for Abraham, he trusted God.
c.) To go forth and do as God said without question or argument, even at the chance of sacrificing his own son, speaks volumes on the faith Abraham had in God.
5. List the steps Abraham took in v.9-10 as he prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
9When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there; then he laid the wood in order and [c]bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood. 10And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son.
He built the alter, laid down the wood and then tied Isaac and laid him on the alter. Abraham then raised the knife to sacrifice Isaac.
6. What stopped Abraham from offering Isaac? (v.11-12) What did he offer instead? (v.13)
a.) 11But the [d]Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am.12And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son.
The Angel of the Lord stopped him.
b.) 13Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son!
The ram caught in the thickets by his horns.
7. What did Abraham name the place where God provided the ram for the sacrifice? (v.14)
14So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided.
The Lord Will Provide.
8. In v.15 the angel of the Lord called to Abraham. What promises does he make to Abraham in v.16-18?
16And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son, 17In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, 18And in your Seed [[e]Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice.
multiply his descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore, his Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, 18And in his Seed [[e]Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves.
9. In Hebrews 11:17-19, the author tells us why Abraham was able to obey God in this most difficult test of his faith. What did Abraham believe about God that allowed Him to reconcile God’s promises to him through Isaac and God’s asking him to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice?
17By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test [while the testing of his faith was [a]still in progress], [b]had already brought Isaac for an offering; he who had gladly received and welcomed [God's] promises was ready to sacrifice his only son,18Of whom it was said, Through Isaac shall your descendants be reckoned.19For he reasoned that God was able to raise [him] up even from among the dead. Indeed in the sense that Isaac was figuratively dead [potentially sacrificed], he did [actually] receive him back from the dead.
God previously promised Abraham ‘Through Isaac shall your descendants be reckoned’ and Abraham knew God could raise Isaac from death.
    10. God asked Abraham to give up his son Isaac. Because Abraham believed God and because he trusted God, he responded in faith. Has God asked you to give up someone or something? When we hold on to something or someone that we need to release, we may miss the opportunity to see God at work. Are you willing to trust God in the difficult relationship or circumstance that you are facing?
I am to give up myself. I am to give up my lofty ideas and thoughts that I think are ‘right’ and ‘true’. I am to decrease and allow God to increase in all areas and relationships in my life. In my marriage, parent role, sibling role, daughter role, friend role, employment role. I can no longer be the ‘puppet master’ that controls everything and everyone utilizing my standards.


And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Hebrews 11:8 NASB

Journey through the Principle


Abraham is an example of biblical faith. He began his journey with God by leaving his home and going out to a place unknown to him. Abraham was not perfect. He failed to trust God at several key times in his life. However, in Genesis 15, we learn that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. The sacrificing of Isaac did not make Abraham righteous. His obedience merely proved the biblical faith he already had.

In the same way, we begin a walk with God by faith. We must trust in the completed work of Christ for us on the cross and not rely on our own good works to make us acceptable to God. To walk with God, we must first begin a relationship with Him by faith. Look up the following verses to see what the New Testament has to say about how we begin that relationship.


1. Read the following verses and record what they say about how we are saved and about what things do not save us.

John 1:12 12But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
We must choose to receive God and then trust on and rely on His name.
John 3:16 16For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
 So that whoever believes in (trusts, cling to, relies on) Him will have eternal life (be saved).
Eph 2:8-9  8For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;9Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
We are saved by Gods unmerited favor (His goodwill toward us) through our faith. We cannot get it through anything we do or how hard we work or how good we can be.




Titus 3:5-7 5He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.7[And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.
We are saved because of the faith we have when we come to God and receive Him into our lives. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross we have the chance to become heirs of eternal life.

Walk It Out in Life


I trusted Christ for salvation as a seven-year-old child. I knew that Christ died for my sins and I wanted to go to heaven when I died. I understood that I was a sinner and that I could not be good enough to earn God’s approval. I believed that Christ died on the cross for me and I believed that He rose from the dead. With simple childlike faith, I placed my trust in Jesus and became His child. I started my walk with God by faith.

Although I trusted Christ for my eternity with Him, it was much more difficult to trust Him with everyday problems. I was very active in church and I tried to please God by reading my Bible, praying, and doing what was right. However, I developed the thinking that “God helps those who help themselves” and I did not bother God with things that I thought I could handle on my own. After all, He was extremely busy, and I thought I should handle anything I could. Apparently, I overlooked John 15 which teaches that without Him, I could do nothing.


I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him,
he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:15 NASB

This concept was totally foreign to me. I felt I could do a lot of things.  I also was not certain that I would be as happy with what God wanted for me as I would be with what I might want. (As I am writing this, I am hearing echoes from the Garden of Eden. Satan had deceived me, and I deceived myself.) A turning point in my life came when I understood and believed John 10:10, in which Jesus is speaking.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 NASB

I would never be happy or really satisfied apart from Jesus. His will for my life would be the best for me. I would be happier in the center of God’s will than anywhere else I could be. God gave me a new life when I was seven years old. He has spent the remaining time changing me and changing my desires. I began the Christian life by faith and faith also allows me to experience the blessings of the Christian life step by step, day by day.

Have you trusted Christ for salvation and begun a walk with God through Him? If not, would you be willing to trust Him right now? Yes I have trusted Christ for salvation.

If you have trusted Christ for salvation, are you trusting Him day by day for everything you need? Do you really believe He wants you to have an abundant life? If not, would you make that commitment and choice to trust Him daily right now? I am a work in progress. I have not arrived, yet I am not where I used to be. I do not trust Him for every day to day living, yet I do trust Him more everyday. I have learned that I need to have a daily, active relationship with Him.  I believe He wants me to live abundantly and believe He can provide everything for me. I am not sure I deserve it and am sure there are a lot more people worse off than I. This is a trip I am making a lot around my mountain.
Write a prayer expressing your response to God’s invitation to you – either for salvation or for faith in your daily walk. If you decide to trust Christ for salvation, please share this with your Bible study teacher or your small group leader. She will want to rejoice with you and to encourage you in your faith!

Dear Father,

I come to you now asking for faith in my daily walk. I ask you to help me with this never-ending cycle of circling this mountain. I say I do not doubt You or Your abilities. Yet I do not believe myself worthy enough for your help or time. I feel I have not yet ‘arrived’ to where I should be in lieu of your standards. I feel I ask too much of You, when there are many others that are worse off then me. This I know is an issue. This I know is wrong. So today Lord I ask You for your mercy and grace to move through this trial and to pass this test as You would have me to. I ask for more faith and to be able to let go of these mindsets that I continue to carry and use daily. I pray for a belief that will make me closer to becoming ‘wholly consecrated’ to You.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen
Walk It Out in Parenting


We live in a stressed out, anxious world. Faith is the opposite of anxiety and worry. When we are anxious, our children know it. Even a very small child seems to sense when her mother is anxious.

Abraham‘s faith was an example to Isaac. When Isaac asked Abraham, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (Isa 22:7-8 NASB).

Do you demonstrate that kind of faith, the “God will provide” faith, to your children? Make a list of things about which you are anxious. In what areas could you show that type of faith to your children?
Money and bills.
Work.
Home and family relationships.
Note: This type of faith is not passive but active. Abraham was actively obeying God while He waited for God to provide.



Paul addresses the issue of anxiety in Philippians 4.
Read Philippians 4:6-9.
6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [d]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.
1. What are we to do instead of being anxious? (v.6)
Pray with specific requests and thanksgiving continuously and constantly.

2. What are we to focus on? (v.8)
Whatever is true, worthy of reverence and honorable and seemly, pure, lovely and lovable, kind, winsome, gracious, virtuous and excellence, worthy of praise.
These verses in Philippians 4 are life verses for me because I am an anxious person by nature. However, I am encouraged to see the progress God is making in my life as I learn to trust Him. I am less anxious than I used to be and I have learned some strategies to prevent anxiety.  Philippians 4:8 is a key to dealing with anxiety. What we think about makes a difference! This is also true for our children. Dwelling on things or events that do not meet the criteria of Philippians 4:8 will produce anxiety. We need to be aware of what is going on in the world, but our focus needs to be on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and praiseworthy.

1. What issues cause you anxiety? What things are keeping you from being a mother with “God will provide” type faith? Write a prayer confessing your anxiety, asking Him to help you trust Him and thanking Him for hearing you. (Philippians 4:8)
Dear Father,
I am wanting a ‘God Will Provide’ faith just as Abraham had. I have many anxieties about how I am to go about doing what You would have me to do. About how I am to live in a world full of dark, and yet support my children and raise them with You as their foundation. I am only a newborn babe in our relationship and seek You out for many directions and instructions and guidance. I come to You very often seeking Your will for me and what, how, when I should do something. I do not want to step outside Your will, and often find myself frozen with fear of making the wrong decision. I know I do not want to go back to who I was. I ask for continuous renewal of my mind, daily. I ask to for your mercy and love to continue to work in my life. To change me as You see fit. To mold me into who You would have me to be. Father, I thank You. I thank You for being so merciful and kind and gracious and lovely and lovable. For being You. For allowing me the chance to ‘see’ as You would have me to see. I thank You for everything You have already done and everything You are going to do. Thank You for loving me so much.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen

2. Your son, who is in the sixth grade, comes home from school with a major assignment that will require much time and attention. His topic is international terrorism. You realize that his spending that much time researching and presenting information about terrorism and the threat it poses will not meet the criteria of Philippians 4:8. What steps would you take to address the situation?
 I would first pray for guidance. I would then follow Gods direction for how I should handle this.

 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him,
he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:15 NASB



Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NASB

 

Hold His Hand


Abraham assured Isaac that the Lord would provide a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed and trusted God and both he and Isaac experienced the provision of God as a ram was caught in the thicket and became the sacrifice “in place of” Isaac. God has provided His only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for your sins.  He is the LORD who will provide.

Have you experienced God’s provision for your sins? Do you personally know the LORD who provides? Write Him a thank you note for being the LORD who provides.





Dear Father,
I thank you so much for being so wonderful and such a good father. Your love and grace cannot be matched anywhere at all. I know You can do so much. The change You have made in me assures me of how wonderfully You are made. Thank you for sending Jesus to die so that even I could be saved. Thank you for providing me with my family and my hardships in life so that I can use them to help others. Thank you allowing me to ‘see’ firsthand the changes You are making inside my home and with my family. Thank you for providing me with the attitudes and words to share with others when they have questions. Thank you Lord for being such a great provider. For providing Shady Grove and the wonderful people there. For Nicole and her family, for a husband who never gave up. For a workplace where I can openly serve You and have such wonderful employers. Thank you for the lessons You have taught me. Thank you for showing me how much You have provided. Forgive me Lord for being so blind to Your kindness and giving nature.
In Jesus Name I pray.
Amen



Week Three
Joseph: Walking in Forgiveness



Step into the Story


Another familiar Bible story involves Joseph, his brothers, and the coat of many colors. Recall that Jacob, Joseph’s father, was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob’s name was changed by God to Israel and his twelve sons became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their descendants were known as the children of Israel. Keep that brief background in mind as you read this story.


Joseph and His Brothers
Read Genesis 37

1. How old was Joseph when this story took place? (v.2) Why did Joseph’s brothers hate him? (v.3-4)
a.) 17 years old
b.)  Because Israel loved Joseph more than all his other children because he was born to Israel late in his life.

2. What was the first dream Joseph reported to his brothers? (v.6-8) How did his brothers respond?
a.) All the brothers were sheaves in a field, The sheaf representing Joseph stood upright, the sheaves representing all the brothers were bowing down to the sheaf representing Joseph.
b.) They hated him more.

3. What was Joseph’s second dream? (v.9-11) How did his father and brothers respond?
a.) Eleven stars representing all Joseph’s brothers and the sun and moon representing his father and mother bowed down and reverenced Joseph.
b.)  A t first his father rebuked him, and then later he pondered on Josephs dream. His brothers became more jealous and hateful.

4.  With what responsibility was Joseph charged in v.14? Before he ever arrived, what were his brothers plotting? (v.18-21)
a.)  To make sure everything was okay with the brothers and the flock and to bring word to Israel.
b.)   They were plotting to kill him; Reuben talked them out of it.

5. What did Joseph’s brothers do when he arrived? (v.23-24) How did Judah’s reasoning change the plan? (v.26-28)
a.) They took his jacket Israel had made especially for him.
b.) He told them because he was flesh and their brother they shouldn’t kill him after throwing him in a well, instead they should sell him to merchants passing by. Reuben was not there at the moment.

6. How did the brothers cover up what they had done? How did Jacob respond to seeing Joseph’s coat which had been dipped in blood? (v.29-35)
a.) They killed a young goat and Joseph’s special jacket into the blood of the goat.
b.) He believed Joseph was eaten by a wild beast while searching for the brothers and the flock. Jacob became very depressed and wept and tore at his clothes and put on sackcloth and mourned many days for Joseph. None of the children could console him. He went to Sheol to mourn the loss of Joseph.

7. According to v.36, where did Joseph go?
He was sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain and chief executioner of the royal guard.

8. Can you identify with the strife in Joseph’s family? Have you worked through the pain and anguish that broken family relationships can cause? Has God brought healing to your family or are you still struggling with difficult relationships?
a.) Yes I can.
b.) I have worked through some, there is more.
c.) God has brought healing. I now have relationships that are true and honest and have love in them, whereas before there was none of these things.
I am still struggling with a few difficult relationships as well. I do not doubt God’s ability or faithfulness and am sure that in His time these will be mended as well.

Keep reading to see how Joseph dealt with his situation. 
      After Joseph was sold into slavery, he was falsely accused of attempted rape, put in prison, and forgotten by those in prison who promised to help him. In every situation, Joseph was a leader and God’s favor was on him. Eventually, he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and went from prison to the palace of Egypt. He became a ruler in Egypt and used his leadership and administrative skills to save the people from famine. Years after they sold Joseph into slavery, his brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph did not reveal his identity to them immediately, but eventually the family was reunited in Egypt. Although Joseph had forgiven his brothers, they assumed that his attitude would change when their father Jacob died. We pick up the story just after the death of Jacob.
Read Genesis 50:1-22

1. Who went with Joseph to bury Jacob? (v.7-10)
All the officials of Pharaoh, all the household of Joseph and his brothers and his father’s house, taking both chariots and horsemen went with Joseph.
2. When everyone returned to Egypt, what concern did Joseph’s brothers have? (v.15)
They thought he would hate them and avenge all the evil they had done him.
3. What did Joseph do when his brothers approached him for forgiveness? (v.17) According to v.18, how did they think Joseph would treat them?
a.) Joseph cried.
b.) They thought he would enslave them.

4. Recall the chain of events that was set in motion by the actions of Joseph’s brothers. Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold to traders, taken to Egypt, made a slave in Potiphar’s house, falsely accused and convicted of attempted rape, and put in prison. In spite of all these injustices, Joseph forgave his brothers. If you were in Joseph’s place, do you think you could have forgiven your brothers for all they did and for all they caused you to go through?
Today I would pray for God to work in me to change any hard feelings or un-forgiveness I harbored.
Before I got saved, before God began renewing my mind, no I wouldn’t have forgiven them.

5. How did Joseph explain his forgiveness for what his brothers had done? (v.19-20) How did his theology affect his relationships?
a.) That he wasn’t God and God exacts revenge not him. But that God meant all that happened to Joseph for good, to help many people stay alive.

      The principle in Genesis 50:20 is extremely important. Joseph recognized God’s sovereignty in his life and he saw that God had taken what his brothers meant for evil and used it for good. This same idea is expressed in the New Testament in Romans 8:28. Copy it here.


We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose. (amp)


Sometimes we fail to recognize that God is in control. He will take the circumstances of our lives and work them together for good because we love Him and we are called according to His purpose. Does this make what Joseph’s brothers did acceptable or right? Does this make Potiphar’s wife’s false accusation right? Does this make Joseph’s prison experience easy? Absolutely not!

What this story tells us is that no person, no place, no thing, no event can override God’s purpose for our lives. When we trust God, He will take all the people and events and places of our lives and work them together for good. From the pit and from the prison, who could have imagined that Joseph would end up in such a high position in Egypt?

Perhaps nothing is more hurtful than strained or broken relationships within a family. The Bible tells us that “as far as it depends on us” we are to be at peace with all people. The problem is that sometimes, despite our best efforts, other people do not have the same desire to have a good relationship that we do. At some point, we have to recognize our inability to “fix” everything and everyone and pray for God’s grace. Joseph was separated from his entire family and could not reconcile the relationship with his brothers in person. However, we do know that he forgave them.

Joseph not only had issues in his family, but also issues with the negative circumstances that resulted from his brothers’ sin. We might expect him to be resentful when their sin caused him to suffer. All of us have experienced negative consequences because of someone else’s sin. How do we deal with the things in our lives that are just not “fair”?

I have seen God direct friends through circumstances that were not (from my perspective) fair. When they were told “no” to a job or to an opportunity, these women looked for God’s direction. God had a bigger and better plan than these women could have ever imagined. They would have settled for something less had God not closed the door to the opportunity they were initially seeking. I have experienced this myself and although I was very disappointed when an opportunity did not open up, I did not leave God out of the decision. I knew He could change the hearts and minds of those making the decision. I can now see God’s wisdom in saying “no” to one direction in order to be able to say “yes” to another.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good
in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”
Genesis 50:20 NASB

Journey through the Principle


Joseph exemplified the biblical principle of forgiveness. We have already seen that what Joseph knew about God and His providence allowed him to forgive his brothers. Jesus spoke to this same issue when He answers Peter’s question about forgiving someone who repeatedly offends you in Matthew 18. Let’s read what the Lord has to say about forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving servant.

Read Matthew 18:21-35.

1. What was the situation between the king and the first servant? How much did the servant owe the king? How did the king respond to the servant’s request? (v.23-28)
a.) The servant owed the king a great sum of money.
b.)  10,000 talents or about $10 million (amp)
c.) He forgave him the debt and cancelled the entire note.

2. What was the situation between the first servant and his fellow servant? How much did the second servant owe? How did the first servant respond to his fellow servant’s request? (v.29-30)
a.) The fellow servant owed the first servant a small amount of money.
b.) 100 denarii or about $20 (amp)
c.) He demanded payment and had him put into prison until it was paid.





Note: The contrast between the debt we owed God and the debt others owe us is represented by the 10,000 talents and the 100 denarii. The 10,000 talents, the amount that the servant owed the king, is several million dollars, a debt too large to be repaid. The 100 denarii, approximately 100 days’ wages, the amount that the servant owed his fellow servant, is a much smaller amount which could be paid back in a reasonable amount of time.[1]  

3. What happened when the king found out how the first servant treated his fellow servant? (v.31-35)
He called him and told him he was wicked for not forgiving the debt as the king did. The king turned the first servant over to the prison to work off his original debt.

4. Because we have been forgiven, what does God expect us to do? Ask the Lord to call specific people to mind as you think about forgiveness.
To forgive others, no matter the offense.

5. Look back at the parable and write down the verse or verses where you find the following principles.


a. God graciously forgives us rather than giving us more time to pay back our debt to Him.
Matthew 18:27

b. Believers are to show others mercy in the same way that God has been merciful to them.
Matthew 18:33

c. True forgiveness is a heart issue.
Matthew 18:35

d.   The forgiveness we need to extend to others is very small in comparison with the forgiveness that God extends to us.
Matthew 18:24-34

Walk It Out in Life


Of course, it is easy to talk about forgiveness, but very difficult to practice forgiveness. Is there someone you need to forgive?  Don’t wait for that person to ask for your forgiveness. Release him or her from the debt even before he or she asks for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not pretending something never happened. Forgiveness is not saying that what happened was good or right. Forgiveness is not a casual glossing over of an offense. Forgiveness is not deciding to let people run all over you. Forgiveness is a choice we make to release someone from a debt they owe us. Be honest about your feelings but then be obedient.


Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander
be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB


Will you choose to forgive? Ask the Lord to show you specific people, perhaps some that you are not aware of, that you need to forgive. Write out a prayer expressing your willingness for God to change your heart toward someone you need to forgive. Don’t forget to thank Him for forgiving you!

Dear Heavenly Father,

 I come to you today humbled by your mercy and love. I ask for Your mercy and Your forgiveness of my sins that I commit out loud and those that I carry hidden deep within. I pray for Your guidance in seeking any and all un-forgiveness I have in my heart. I ask for your grace and love so that I can release all debts I feel owed to me by others.  Show me any malice or ill-will I harbor against anyone. Help me make the choice to release those who I believe owe me, imagined or real. Help me to be completely honest about my feelings and to come to You every time. Help me to be immediately obedient to all Your commands. Lord I ask for the strength and endurance to follow through with whatever you decide is best for me. I ask for your guidance and direction in all that I do according to Your will and purposes. Lord, help me to be lovely and lovable and to recognize when I am not. Help me to become more like the Proverbs 31 woman. Help me to only open my mouth in skillful and godly wisdom and let my tongue have the law of kindness on it always.  Show me any pride, anger or resentment I have lurking inside of me. Heal me of any pain I still have from my past and help me to continually develop the kindness and gentleness You want me to possess. Lord please help me to reverently and worshipfully fear You. I thank you Dear Lord for everything You have already done for me. I thank You Lord for everything You are going to do. Thank you for being such a loving and gracious God, a merciful, understanding and compassionate God. Thank you for starting on the inside and working out. Thank you for giving me a new life and a chance to become who You would have me to be.

In  Jesus Name I pray
Amen

Walk It Out in Parenting


My husband and I attended a home Bible study when we were first married. One night the guest speaker was Dr. Howard Hendricks from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Jeanne shared and then answered questions. I remember that when someone asked him about sibling rivalry, Dr. Hendricks gave a classic response. “Disgustingly normal,” he said without hesitation. I have thought about those words many times because they apply to things other than just sibling rivalry.  Sibling rivalry may be normal, but it certainly is disgusting.

One year on our vacation after a few days of being together night and day, our three children were not getting along with each other. My husband and I had all three of them sit down at a table with pencil and paper and write out three things that were positive about each of their siblings. We hoped that this exercise would shift their focus and remind them of some of the strengths of the other family members. I think this did calm things down a little, but what I remember most is one thing both boys independently wrote about their four year old sister. “Organized,” they both said about a pre-school child. I am not sure how much that encouraged her, but it gave us all a good laugh!

We want our children to get along with each other and we want them to forgive each other. Although we cannot prevent every disagreement among siblings, we can be wise in how we treat our children in order to minimize competition and confrontation. When conflicts arise, we want to teach them to forgive.

What are some ways you can discourage sibling rivalry? As a parent, what are some ways you can avoid showing favoritism to one child over another? How can you help your children learn to forgive? Share any ideas you have with your small group.



I use the Bible as instruction and correction with my children. We discuss almost daily our thoughts and words and how they affect others and us. I share how and what God has done inside of me to change my thinking patterns and my speech. I also believe firmly in this – We choose to follow God or satan. There is no in between.

And when we experience rivalry or strife I often ask are we holding hands with God or with satan? Are we choosing at that moment to do as Jesus would do or as satan would do? There is no in between, no gray area, no straddling the fence. Everything we choose, act out, react to, express in thought or speech is for God or for satan.

I also remind myself and my family of the price Jesus paid for us..  And He never, not once sinned or did anything to deserve death or punishment. Yet He willing was tortured and died so that we may be forgiven and have God’s mercy. That we could have an opportunity to go to Heaven and be with Him. He gave so much, and we give so little. Would you give your only child to be tortured and killed to save one sinner? This is how great and awesome our God is.



Hold His Hand


Joseph let us in on the secret to forgiving his brothers. We read his words in Genesis 50:20. He affirmed that in spite of his brothers’ evil intentions, “God meant it for good.” As we walk through difficult and unfair circumstances, we can know that God is sovereign and He will use even the things that hurt us most as He works all things together for good in our lives.

The greatest provision that God has made for us is in Jesus Christ. The day of the Crucifixion looked like the bleakest day in history. All hope seemed lost when Jesus died on the cross, but God had the final word when He raised Jesus from the dead.  Will you thank God today for being the God who meant it for good? You can hold His hand as you walk through life’s darkest moments.

The same God who took Joseph from slavery and prison to a position of great power in Egypt is available to you. Call on Him today and ask Him for wisdom, for forgiveness, and for a fresh sense of His presence in the midst of your circumstances.

Dear Lord,

 I come to you asking for Your wisdom, Your forgiveness, for a fresh sense of Your presence in the midst of my life. I seek Your hand in all areas of my life, whether they be dark moments or good ones. I pray for Your continual guidance and direction according to Your will and purpose. I know my understanding is so very limited and I ask for your knowledge and understanding where I am lacking. I pray that You continue to renew my mind and help me to be alight in a dark world. I pray for Your divine interference in all areas of my life. I again realize I often know not what I ask for, but Lord I say this. In You I have complete faith and hope that You will bring all things for the good of me. So I am not doubtful or scared when I ask for things I know not of. Your faithfulness and love has shown me time and time again that without You I am nothing. I can accomplish nothing. Thank You Lord, thank You for all You have done and all You are going to do.

In Jesus Name I pray.
Amen
11-28-11

[1]J. Dwight Pentecost, The Parables of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1982), 62.

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