Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Beauty of being Made in God's Image: After Our Likeness
The Carnival of Beauty this weeks calls us to reflect on the Beauty of being Made in God's Image. Return here on Wednesday to read all the contributions from across the globe!
Genesis 1 tells us that on the sixth day of creation:
God was love even before he created us and loved us, so there was love and fellowship between the three persons of the Godhead. As mankind, we have been created to love God and can see that our lives go awry when we fall away from him, when we depart from our true purpose of life.
We also have a need and a desire to love others, to experience love of others and to have fellowship with each other. We have been given marriage as a picture of how this submission and love works within the Godhead, but, even for those of us who are not (yet) married, we have been given the church and the body of believers as a family in which to experience and demonstrate this.
The first act of God that we read of in the Bible is the creation of the universe. He then gives his brand new and "very good" world to humans to care for and steward it. God has put that desire for creation and work into our hearts so that we might reflect his glory in our own care for the creation and in our own contributions to creation.
Think of many wonderful pieces of art, architecture, literature, scientific advances or music, all created by man but stemming from a deeper desire placed in us by God. He has given us the ability of conscious thought and self-awareness, more so than other creature, and so allows us to study, create and compose. Perhaps this is also reflected in the desire of many of us to have children - the ultimate creative act we are given as mankind?
In the Fall and in our rebellion, this image of God has been tarnished. Our relationship with God, each other and creation has been ruined. We have not been left in this sorry state however. Jesus who is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15) and the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3) has come to redeem us. Through him, we can put on a new self, created "after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24) and "which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:10).
Genesis 1 tells us that on the sixth day of creation:
God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."When we talk about being made in God's image, we can see how mankind was designed to reflect God's person and character.
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
God was love even before he created us and loved us, so there was love and fellowship between the three persons of the Godhead. As mankind, we have been created to love God and can see that our lives go awry when we fall away from him, when we depart from our true purpose of life.
We also have a need and a desire to love others, to experience love of others and to have fellowship with each other. We have been given marriage as a picture of how this submission and love works within the Godhead, but, even for those of us who are not (yet) married, we have been given the church and the body of believers as a family in which to experience and demonstrate this.
The first act of God that we read of in the Bible is the creation of the universe. He then gives his brand new and "very good" world to humans to care for and steward it. God has put that desire for creation and work into our hearts so that we might reflect his glory in our own care for the creation and in our own contributions to creation.
Think of many wonderful pieces of art, architecture, literature, scientific advances or music, all created by man but stemming from a deeper desire placed in us by God. He has given us the ability of conscious thought and self-awareness, more so than other creature, and so allows us to study, create and compose. Perhaps this is also reflected in the desire of many of us to have children - the ultimate creative act we are given as mankind?
In the Fall and in our rebellion, this image of God has been tarnished. Our relationship with God, each other and creation has been ruined. We have not been left in this sorry state however. Jesus who is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15) and the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3) has come to redeem us. Through him, we can put on a new self, created "after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24) and "which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:10).
Labels: bible study, carnival of beauty
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Transgressions...Inquity...Sin
Our house group is revising basic Christianity using Tim Keller's Gospel Christianity study guide. We are learning so much by going back to the stripped down beliefs of our faith.
Last night we looked at the problem of sin and learnt that there are three words used for sin in the Old Testament. I had never been aware of this before so wanted to share it. In Psalm 51, David uses all three words to convey the depth of his sin.
Avah - Twisted out of shape
Psalm 51:2a - iniquity
This describes a heart that is not centred in God and instead has its centre on distorted views of self, God and the world and wrong desires. It shows how deep an complex sin can be, yet it might not be committed deliberately or might be something good being misused or twisted into something bad.
Chatha - Missing the target
Psalm 51:2b - sin
This reminds that sin includes acts of omission are just as bad as sins of comission, the ones we do deliberately. We are called to live for God's glory, loving him with all our heart and soul and strength and loving our neighbours as ourselves. When we fail in this, we are equally sinning.
Pasha - Wilfully rebelling
Psalm 51:1 - transgression
God holds us responsible for our actions, however much we deceieve ourselves that we commit sin unwillingly. We act like Adam who blamed God for giving him Eve, who then blamed the serpent, all refusing to take the blame and the responsibility.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1-2
Last night we looked at the problem of sin and learnt that there are three words used for sin in the Old Testament. I had never been aware of this before so wanted to share it. In Psalm 51, David uses all three words to convey the depth of his sin.
Avah - Twisted out of shape
Psalm 51:2a - iniquity
This describes a heart that is not centred in God and instead has its centre on distorted views of self, God and the world and wrong desires. It shows how deep an complex sin can be, yet it might not be committed deliberately or might be something good being misused or twisted into something bad.
Chatha - Missing the target
Psalm 51:2b - sin
This reminds that sin includes acts of omission are just as bad as sins of comission, the ones we do deliberately. We are called to live for God's glory, loving him with all our heart and soul and strength and loving our neighbours as ourselves. When we fail in this, we are equally sinning.
Pasha - Wilfully rebelling
Psalm 51:1 - transgression
God holds us responsible for our actions, however much we deceieve ourselves that we commit sin unwillingly. We act like Adam who blamed God for giving him Eve, who then blamed the serpent, all refusing to take the blame and the responsibility.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1-2
Labels: bible study, faith
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Beauty of Isaiah: A Day Acceptable to the Lord
I've been able to share my love of the book of Isaiah before in a previous Carnival of Beauty, so it is wonderful to join with my sisters all over the world, hosted by Ashley and Beth of Onward and Upward, in sharing this. Please take time today to go there to read all the other submissions celebrating the Beauty of Isaiah.
My young ladies bible study group has been studying Zechariah over the last few months. Last week, we looked at Zechariah 7, reading of the Israelites taking part in rituals and fasting but doing so without truly seeking God or godliness. The study guide 'sent' us to Isaiah 58.
It begins with God rebuking the Israelites for their hypocrisy. They had been overcome by pride and had forgotten the Lord. Even on their days of fasting and outward piety, they were fighting with one another and oppressing their workers. We discussed how we can fall into the same trap, trying to use the rituals of worship as bargaining tools with God, serving others out of self-interest, confining God's influence on our lives to very carefully carved out "spiritual" time without it affecting the rest of our lives, or becoming proud and self-righteous that we are fulfilling these obligations.
However Proverbs 21:3-4 says:
This brings God's blessing and restoration to his people. As he guided and protected the Israelites in the wilderness, he promised to be our 'rear-guard' today. The Lord will hear and answer the prayers of his people, blessing them with every good thing. His church will be built up and restored, both physically, as promised to the Israelites just returning from exile, but also spiritually as we see his church as the body of believers today and for eternity.
Isaiah also reminds us to the blessing of the Sabbath day and how, rather than it being a burden, it should be a day for delighting in God. It was given for man as a day of rest and restoration, a day to be focussed on the worship of God and the fellowship of his people. It is not however just the physically keeping of this day that God wants, but humility and compassion in our hearts. (I heard a wonderful lecture on this last week and will have to share it with you all soon.)
We must keep in mind that nothing we do, whether fasting, praying or Sabbath keeping, can contribute to our salvation. The only thing we contribute is our sin from which we have to be saved. Remembering this and remembering the grace that has been shown to us should keep us from developing too high an opinion of ourselves and keep our focus and heart upon God.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?
Isaiah 58:5
My young ladies bible study group has been studying Zechariah over the last few months. Last week, we looked at Zechariah 7, reading of the Israelites taking part in rituals and fasting but doing so without truly seeking God or godliness. The study guide 'sent' us to Isaiah 58.
It begins with God rebuking the Israelites for their hypocrisy. They had been overcome by pride and had forgotten the Lord. Even on their days of fasting and outward piety, they were fighting with one another and oppressing their workers. We discussed how we can fall into the same trap, trying to use the rituals of worship as bargaining tools with God, serving others out of self-interest, confining God's influence on our lives to very carefully carved out "spiritual" time without it affecting the rest of our lives, or becoming proud and self-righteous that we are fulfilling these obligations.
However Proverbs 21:3-4 says:
To do righteousness and justiceWe are then reminded of what true religion is. It comes from a heart focused on God and his righteousness. Isaiah calls us to focus our hearts on God, demonstrate this love for God by our compassion for others, listen to his word and worship him in spirit and truth.
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
This brings God's blessing and restoration to his people. As he guided and protected the Israelites in the wilderness, he promised to be our 'rear-guard' today. The Lord will hear and answer the prayers of his people, blessing them with every good thing. His church will be built up and restored, both physically, as promised to the Israelites just returning from exile, but also spiritually as we see his church as the body of believers today and for eternity.
Isaiah also reminds us to the blessing of the Sabbath day and how, rather than it being a burden, it should be a day for delighting in God. It was given for man as a day of rest and restoration, a day to be focussed on the worship of God and the fellowship of his people. It is not however just the physically keeping of this day that God wants, but humility and compassion in our hearts. (I heard a wonderful lecture on this last week and will have to share it with you all soon.)We must keep in mind that nothing we do, whether fasting, praying or Sabbath keeping, can contribute to our salvation. The only thing we contribute is our sin from which we have to be saved. Remembering this and remembering the grace that has been shown to us should keep us from developing too high an opinion of ourselves and keep our focus and heart upon God.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?
Isaiah 58:5
Labels: bible study, carnival of beauty
Monday, January 29, 2007
4. What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
It is through that Spirit of God that we worship him and through the Spirit that we are drawn towards him(John 4:24).
God is omnipresent and fills the heaven and the earth (Jeremiah 23:24). He has always been present from before the beginning of time (Psalm 90:2). He remains constant and cannot act outwith his own character of love, justice and goodness (James 1:17).
He is above and beyond human intelligence. We can not comprehend the extent of his wisdom and understanding (Psalm 147:5). God demonstrates his wisdom through the use of his power (Job 12:13) and by bestowing his wisdom upon his people (Daniel 2:20-22).
God is omnipotent(Job 42:2). He is El-Shaddai, God Almighty (Genesis 17:1). That power is demonstrated to the whole world through the act of his creation (Romans 1:20). It is through that might that God raised Jesus from the dead and, in the same way, will resurrect us on the Last Day (1 Cor 6:14).
Another name of God is Holy (Isaiah 57:15). In heaven, he is worshipped by creatures praising his holiness and eternal nature (Revelation 4:8). Because God is holy, we are called to be holy and to set ourselves apart for him (1 Peter 1:15-16).
God is a just and fair judge over his people (Deut 32:4). He cannot be anything but righteous (Zephaniah 3:5). He will one day judge the world and each person according to their righteousness (1 Kings 8:32).
"The Lord our God is good, his mercy is forever sure" (Psalm 100:5). Through his goodness, he reaches out to draw sinners to him and guides them along his way (Psalm 25:8). We respond to that goodness by praising him for it (Psalm 106:1).
God cannot lie or change his mind (Titus 1:1-2) and will fulfill the promises has made (Numbers 23:19). When we know this, we can trust him with everything (Psalm 31:5). We can trust him because we know that he has revealed himself and his character through the Bible which is his unerring word.
It is through that Spirit of God that we worship him and through the Spirit that we are drawn towards him(John 4:24).
God is omnipresent and fills the heaven and the earth (Jeremiah 23:24). He has always been present from before the beginning of time (Psalm 90:2). He remains constant and cannot act outwith his own character of love, justice and goodness (James 1:17).
He is above and beyond human intelligence. We can not comprehend the extent of his wisdom and understanding (Psalm 147:5). God demonstrates his wisdom through the use of his power (Job 12:13) and by bestowing his wisdom upon his people (Daniel 2:20-22).
God is omnipotent(Job 42:2). He is El-Shaddai, God Almighty (Genesis 17:1). That power is demonstrated to the whole world through the act of his creation (Romans 1:20). It is through that might that God raised Jesus from the dead and, in the same way, will resurrect us on the Last Day (1 Cor 6:14).
Another name of God is Holy (Isaiah 57:15). In heaven, he is worshipped by creatures praising his holiness and eternal nature (Revelation 4:8). Because God is holy, we are called to be holy and to set ourselves apart for him (1 Peter 1:15-16).
God is a just and fair judge over his people (Deut 32:4). He cannot be anything but righteous (Zephaniah 3:5). He will one day judge the world and each person according to their righteousness (1 Kings 8:32).
"The Lord our God is good, his mercy is forever sure" (Psalm 100:5). Through his goodness, he reaches out to draw sinners to him and guides them along his way (Psalm 25:8). We respond to that goodness by praising him for it (Psalm 106:1).
God cannot lie or change his mind (Titus 1:1-2) and will fulfill the promises has made (Numbers 23:19). When we know this, we can trust him with everything (Psalm 31:5). We can trust him because we know that he has revealed himself and his character through the Bible which is his unerring word.
Labels: bible study, catechism, faith
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Beauty of Mary and Martha: The Good Portion
This week's Carnival of Beauty visits A Dusty Frame where we gather to discuss the Beauty of Mary and Martha.
I am such a Martha. I can see myself in her the time she invited Jesus into her home. There she is, flapping around "distracted with much serving" and "anxious and troubled about many things", forgetting (choosing to forget?) that the real need in my life is to listen to the teachings of Jesus.
Things must have changed for Martha in her faith and relationship with Jesus when she goes on to confess her faith in him as the Lord and Messiah. In her distress at the death of her brother, Lazarus, Mary and Marth both flap a little, blaming Jesus for not having come sooner. Martha, on hearing that Jesus is coming, goes to meet him while Mary stays at home. When they meet, she declares, "I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."
As I read through Martha's story this week, I was reminded of how much I am like her, but also that Jesus loved her. I want things to be perfect before going to Jesus, I want to have things sorted, I don't want to bother him with trivialities. Instead I should follow Mary's example and sit at my Lord's feet, listening to his teaching and casting my burdens on him because he loves me.
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
I am such a Martha. I can see myself in her the time she invited Jesus into her home. There she is, flapping around "distracted with much serving" and "anxious and troubled about many things", forgetting (choosing to forget?) that the real need in my life is to listen to the teachings of Jesus.
Things must have changed for Martha in her faith and relationship with Jesus when she goes on to confess her faith in him as the Lord and Messiah. In her distress at the death of her brother, Lazarus, Mary and Marth both flap a little, blaming Jesus for not having come sooner. Martha, on hearing that Jesus is coming, goes to meet him while Mary stays at home. When they meet, she declares, "I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."
As I read through Martha's story this week, I was reminded of how much I am like her, but also that Jesus loved her. I want things to be perfect before going to Jesus, I want to have things sorted, I don't want to bother him with trivialities. Instead I should follow Mary's example and sit at my Lord's feet, listening to his teaching and casting my burdens on him because he loves me.
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
Labels: bible study, carnival of beauty, faith
Monday, January 22, 2007
Keep your Soul Diligently
I've told you before about my Bible study group for young women. It is intended for older students and young graduates to provide support and fellowship over what can be a very challenging transition. We now have a core group of 10 young women who meet regularly to discuss faith and doctrine over huge quantities of tea and scones. (We are clearly a British bible study group!)
Originally we studied Biblical Womanhood, looking at being made in God's image, the Fall, marriage, singleness, beauty and modesty, the church, relationships with our brothers and sisters, and our relationship with God. We learned so much together, discussing the challenges in going against prevailing culture. At the same time, we have faced many difficult issues including purity, domestic violence, abuse, and remarriage after divorce. It has been hard to look at these issues but, through lengthy Bible study, discussion and prayer, we have been able to work through them and so tried to find practical Biblical answers.
For our next study, we decided we would study a book of the Bible rather than a theme, so we are now studying Zechariah. It's an unusual choice, but it has been so encouraging to study God's word to those struggling Israelites.
So far, we have seen that we need, like the Israelites, to return to God as individuals, as churches and as a society. God's work of salvation is finished - our sin has been sent away, the sacrifice is complete, we are forgiven and righteous in his sight, and he has the victory. To us as his people, he has promised his presence and blessing and promised to rebuild his church to be his final dwelling place and home of his glory. We must live in light of eternity, knowing that, along with our promised salvation, there is a promise of judgement on those who have rejected God. Now, until Judgement Day comes or we are called home, we are to share this good news with the whole earth. In our next study, we are looking at what it means to follow a religion and to have a living faith.
(Can I also take a moment to recommend the Good Book Company (or Matthias Media for my Australian friends), an evangelical Christian publisher, for good solid Bible study resources? Their studies and daily devotionals have minimal digressions into the 'nice stories' that plague many other Bible study books and are firmly based in Scripture with strong evangelical teaching.)
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children.
Deuteronomy 4:9
Originally we studied Biblical Womanhood, looking at being made in God's image, the Fall, marriage, singleness, beauty and modesty, the church, relationships with our brothers and sisters, and our relationship with God. We learned so much together, discussing the challenges in going against prevailing culture. At the same time, we have faced many difficult issues including purity, domestic violence, abuse, and remarriage after divorce. It has been hard to look at these issues but, through lengthy Bible study, discussion and prayer, we have been able to work through them and so tried to find practical Biblical answers.
For our next study, we decided we would study a book of the Bible rather than a theme, so we are now studying Zechariah. It's an unusual choice, but it has been so encouraging to study God's word to those struggling Israelites.
So far, we have seen that we need, like the Israelites, to return to God as individuals, as churches and as a society. God's work of salvation is finished - our sin has been sent away, the sacrifice is complete, we are forgiven and righteous in his sight, and he has the victory. To us as his people, he has promised his presence and blessing and promised to rebuild his church to be his final dwelling place and home of his glory. We must live in light of eternity, knowing that, along with our promised salvation, there is a promise of judgement on those who have rejected God. Now, until Judgement Day comes or we are called home, we are to share this good news with the whole earth. In our next study, we are looking at what it means to follow a religion and to have a living faith.(Can I also take a moment to recommend the Good Book Company (or Matthias Media for my Australian friends), an evangelical Christian publisher, for good solid Bible study resources? Their studies and daily devotionals have minimal digressions into the 'nice stories' that plague many other Bible study books and are firmly based in Scripture with strong evangelical teaching.)
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children.
Deuteronomy 4:9
Labels: bible study, biblical womanhood, faith
Saturday, January 20, 2007
3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
God has given us the Scriptures so we can love God so that we serve him and know his commandments so we can follow them and walk in his ways (Deut 10:12-13). Love and obedience are inextricably linked (John 14:23-24).
It is only through the Scriptures that we can come to know Christ as the Son of God (John 20:31), have our sins forgiven (Acts 10:43) and so receive eternal life (1 John 5:13).
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
God has given us the Scriptures so we can love God so that we serve him and know his commandments so we can follow them and walk in his ways (Deut 10:12-13). Love and obedience are inextricably linked (John 14:23-24).
It is only through the Scriptures that we can come to know Christ as the Son of God (John 20:31), have our sins forgiven (Acts 10:43) and so receive eternal life (1 John 5:13).
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
Labels: bible study, catechism
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Basic Principles of the Oracles of God
It is worthwhile to be a Shorter Catechism boy. They grow up to be men. And better than that, they are exceedingly apt to grow to be men of God.As you know, I have made it one of my goals for 2007 to learn the first 52 questions of the Shorter Catechism. (I was amused and surprised to see that the Shorter Catechism was originally intended for those of "of weaker capacity" rather than the Longer Catechism.) Learning the catechism and teaching it in Sunday school has fallen out of favour, so why start to learn it now?
B B Warfield, American theologian (1851-1921)
I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times...Those who use it in their families or classes must labour to explain the sense; but the words should be carefully learned by heart, for they will be understood better as years pass.Learning the catechism has been used to teach the basic tenets of the Christian faith since the first century. As my denomination adheres to the Westminster Standards, I decided to use the Shorter Catechism which goes through the main doctrines of Faith, the Ten Commandments, the Sacraments and Prayer.
Charles Hadden Spurgeon, English Baptist preacher (1834-1892)
Many older friends, even those who are not Christians, who were catechised as children say that the teaching is hidden away in their hearts and minds and find back to them at times of difficulty or trial. It is perhaps not completely disconnected that Bible knowledge, even in Christians, has fallen in the last twenty years as popularity of the catechism has decreased despite a proliferation of Bible study material in all sorts of media.
Therefore it is the duty of every father of a family to question and examine his children and servants at least once a week and to ascertain what they know of it, or are learning and, if they do not know it, to keep them faithfully at it. However, it is not enough for them to comprehend and recite these parts according to the words only, but the young people should also be made to attend the preaching, especially during the time which is devoted to the Catechism, that they may hear it explained and may learn to understand what every part contains, so as to be able to recite it as they have heard it, and, when asked, may give a correct answer, so that the preaching may not be without profit and fruit.Should we be catechising our children at home and in Sunday school? I think we should to allow these children to learn Christian truths and to form a good theological foundation at an early age. Perhaps it is similar to the bank tellers or medical students only being let loose on normal bank-notes, hearts and lungs I wrote of a few days ago. If we teach our children Biblical Christian doctrine, they might be less likely swayed by false teaching or be led astray in the future.
Martin Luther, German theologian (1483-1546)
The older I grow, and I now stand on the brink of eternity—the more comes back to me the first sentence in the Catechism which I learned when a child, and the fuller and deeper its meaning becomes: ‘What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.’As I learn the Catechism, I want to strengthen my knowledge of basic Christian doctrine, some of which I know but wish to more fully understand and some of which I accept but want to be able to defend from Scripture. I want to hide these teachings and this wisdom in my heart, so that I might strengthen my knowledge of and relationship with him and ultimately "glorify God and enjoy him forever."
Thomas Carlyle, Scottish satirist and historian (1795-1881)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14
Labels: bible study, catechism, quotations
Saturday, January 13, 2007
2. What rule has God given to direct us how to glorify and enjoy him?
The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
In 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Paul writes to young Timothy to remind him of the importance of God's word and of its importance in his life. Just like Timothy's mother and grandmother who would have most probably followed Jewish custom in teaching him the Law from the age of 5, we have a responsibility to teach our children knowledge and application of the Bible to equip them with that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
I am told that bank tellers are given only real bank notes initially when they are trained to check for forgeries. When I first learned to examine people, I listened only to normal hearts and lungs before being let loose on real people with real diseases. In the same way, it is only by having a good knowledge of the Word of God and by studying it that we can then recognise false teachings or ideas and test what we hear or read against the truth (1 Tim 1:6-7).
There are warnings against adding to the Gospel (Gal 1:8-9), a trait that is so easy for any of us to fall into. Legalism is sometimes a struggle for my own denomination. In others, there may a tendency to universalism, belitting the work of Christ. It is almost as if we believe the Gospel couldn't possibly be as simple as it appears!
As we study the Bible, we can know that it is inspired by God written down by men "as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). This gives it authority as the inerrant, infallible revelation of God in the world. It is sufficient for us, teaching us everything we need to know for salvation and to guide us to godliness until we join with the true and living Word in heaven.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
In 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Paul writes to young Timothy to remind him of the importance of God's word and of its importance in his life. Just like Timothy's mother and grandmother who would have most probably followed Jewish custom in teaching him the Law from the age of 5, we have a responsibility to teach our children knowledge and application of the Bible to equip them with that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
I am told that bank tellers are given only real bank notes initially when they are trained to check for forgeries. When I first learned to examine people, I listened only to normal hearts and lungs before being let loose on real people with real diseases. In the same way, it is only by having a good knowledge of the Word of God and by studying it that we can then recognise false teachings or ideas and test what we hear or read against the truth (1 Tim 1:6-7).
There are warnings against adding to the Gospel (Gal 1:8-9), a trait that is so easy for any of us to fall into. Legalism is sometimes a struggle for my own denomination. In others, there may a tendency to universalism, belitting the work of Christ. It is almost as if we believe the Gospel couldn't possibly be as simple as it appears!
As we study the Bible, we can know that it is inspired by God written down by men "as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). This gives it authority as the inerrant, infallible revelation of God in the world. It is sufficient for us, teaching us everything we need to know for salvation and to guide us to godliness until we join with the true and living Word in heaven.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Labels: bible study, catechism
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Press On Toward the Goal
2007 is going to be an exciting year. I have no idea where I will be and what I will be doing in August, never mind this time next year. Thankfully, I know that my life will not come to together by coincidences and random events, but instead has been lovingly planned by a God who has plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give me a future and a hope. Whatever happens, I want to grow more and more in my relationship with and in my knowledge of God, and to walk with the Lord daily and in everything I do.
While reflecting on the past year and on the year ahead, I have decided to set myself some goals to help me focus and to have some accountability for my part in my growth over the next year. If I tell you about them, I'd better have a good excuse for not keeping them!
That said some of them might not be as important by the end of the year although I have tried to pick goals that will be good for me wherever I am and whatever is happening in my life.
It is also interesting to look back at previous goals to see what was important to me at the time and if I achieved them. While sorting through a box of school stuff, I found an old diary from 1995. My list of goals for before I was 25, ten years later, included becoming a doctor (done), having long hair (quite embarrassing this is in the same league as the last one but it has been done), getting my name into listings of the Radio Times (done) and being in a musical in the main theatre in my city (not done and I'm fine with that!).
My goals for 2007 are to:
While reflecting on the past year and on the year ahead, I have decided to set myself some goals to help me focus and to have some accountability for my part in my growth over the next year. If I tell you about them, I'd better have a good excuse for not keeping them!
That said some of them might not be as important by the end of the year although I have tried to pick goals that will be good for me wherever I am and whatever is happening in my life.
It is also interesting to look back at previous goals to see what was important to me at the time and if I achieved them. While sorting through a box of school stuff, I found an old diary from 1995. My list of goals for before I was 25, ten years later, included becoming a doctor (done), having long hair (quite embarrassing this is in the same league as the last one but it has been done), getting my name into listings of the Radio Times (done) and being in a musical in the main theatre in my city (not done and I'm fine with that!).
My goals for 2007 are to:
- Read through the whole Bible - I've done this once before in a year and found it very helpful to get everything in context and to see the Bible as a whole, rather than in fragmented pieces. I'm currently swithering (admittedly a bit late in the day!) between Robert Murray McCheyne's plan or reading through the Bible chronologically.
- Memorise key Scripture - The publishers of the ESV Bible have a year's Scripture memorisation plan that covers the basics of Christianity with one passage for every week.
- Learn a question from the Shorter Catechism every week - I think we have lost a great part of our heritage and a wonderful opportunity to learn basic tenets of faith when we stopped catechising children in Sunday school. I didn't go to Sunday school myself so I have decided to start learning them.
- Practise hospitality more purposefully - Carolyn McCulley wrote a great article on this a few days ago. I'll write more about this, but I wanted to recommend it straight away.
- Start singing lessons again - I used to do so much more singing when I was at university, but stopped when I started work. Having got my postgraduate exams out of the way, I should be able to find the time to do something I love.
- Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, Do without - I want to join the ladies of blogland, led by Sallie, in Celebrating a Year of Abundance.
- Keep blogging - I never intended to start blogging at the beginning of the year but somehow fell into it. I have loved it though and really feel that I have grown from the discipline of writing and from the writings and fellowship over the internet of believers all over the world.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
Labels: accountability, bible study, catechism, scripture memory
Saturday, December 30, 2006
He Humbled Himself
Throughout Advent, I have been using a devotional called O Come, Emmanuel, which includes hymns, carols, poems and stories inspired by Christmas.
Today's Bible reading is Philippians 2:5-11 and it is accompanied by Christina Rossetti's In the Bleak Midwinter. It has been fascinating to read about the origin of many of these carols and of the lives and faiths of their authors and composers, so another day I hope to share some of what I've learnt about them. However today I want to look a little at this carol.
He made himself nothing knowing all this, submitting himself to the will of the Father of his own free will, being willing to suffer a painful death and the separation from the Father to make atonement for us. How else can we respond but to give him our hearts?
Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
Today's Bible reading is Philippians 2:5-11 and it is accompanied by Christina Rossetti's In the Bleak Midwinter. It has been fascinating to read about the origin of many of these carols and of the lives and faiths of their authors and composers, so another day I hope to share some of what I've learnt about them. However today I want to look a little at this carol.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;Rossetti reminds us that Christ's humility was revealed in that he was born in lowly conditions that others would think beneath them. It certainly wasn't a suitable birthplace for a king! On the day that the firstborn of all creation, the one who would sit on the throne over all heaven and earth, was born as man in a great plan ordained before the creation of the world, the heavenly angels would rejoice, but on earth only some local unlearned shepherds would come to worship him. Instead, the world would reject him and ultimately kill him.
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
He made himself nothing knowing all this, submitting himself to the will of the Father of his own free will, being willing to suffer a painful death and the separation from the Father to make atonement for us. How else can we respond but to give him our hearts?
Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
Labels: bible study, Christmas, reading
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 30
What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?
For my spiritual growth, I have decided to buy the Bible on CD to allow me listen to God's word while driving to and from work. A friend has bought Max Maclean's reading of the English Standard Version and really recommended it as a way to know the Bible better.
On a more frivolous note, I have finally invested in a digital camera, especially after being reprimanded by Jonny and Amanda for not owning one! I owned my first camera when I was about 5. It was a blue Fisher Price camera that took 110 film and had a hole at the top where real flash bulbs (which could only be used once) fitted. You'll see in the photo that it even had rubber-covered ends to stop it breaking when dropped. Sadly, I don't know what happened to mine, but I don't think I was a particularly gifted photographer as a child.
I bought my next and last camera the same year I started
university. It uses film and has served me well. (My mother likes to tell me, "Your camera always takes good pictures!") However, after three years of saying I wanted to get a digital SLR, I have finally (literally, in the last few days) got round to it! To celebrate, I taken a photo of where my Wise Men have travelled after friends visited a few days ago! I'll be taking a lot more photos in the days to come and, as they are much easier to transfer on to the computer than film photos, I look forward to sharing them.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16
For my spiritual growth, I have decided to buy the Bible on CD to allow me listen to God's word while driving to and from work. A friend has bought Max Maclean's reading of the English Standard Version and really recommended it as a way to know the Bible better.
On a more frivolous note, I have finally invested in a digital camera, especially after being reprimanded by Jonny and Amanda for not owning one! I owned my first camera when I was about 5. It was a blue Fisher Price camera that took 110 film and had a hole at the top where real flash bulbs (which could only be used once) fitted. You'll see in the photo that it even had rubber-covered ends to stop it breaking when dropped. Sadly, I don't know what happened to mine, but I don't think I was a particularly gifted photographer as a child.I bought my next and last camera the same year I started
university. It uses film and has served me well. (My mother likes to tell me, "Your camera always takes good pictures!") However, after three years of saying I wanted to get a digital SLR, I have finally (literally, in the last few days) got round to it! To celebrate, I taken a photo of where my Wise Men have travelled after friends visited a few days ago! I'll be taking a lot more photos in the days to come and, as they are much easier to transfer on to the computer than film photos, I look forward to sharing them.She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16
Labels: bible study, Christmas, consider your ways, photos
Monday, December 18, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 28
What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?
There are so many things I don't understand, but I have decided to spend some time focusing on the doctrine of the Trinity this year. I believe in the Trinity and I understand, at some level, the concept of God being three persons in one. I want to really understand it though, as much as it is possible this side of heaven!
This is particularly important as I spend a lot of time talking to Muslim colleagues and friends who have no understanding of this and believe that Christians worship several gods. (I have also discovered that many Muslims think the Trinity is God the Father, Jesus and Mary.)
Part of the difficulty is that the term "Trinity" is never used in the Bible although there are many references throughout both the Old and New Testament to the Trinity. I want to take proper time studying the Bible so that I can understand this doctrine, which is so central to our Christian faith, and hopefully also be in a position to better explain it to others. Friends have recommended Donald Macleod's little book, Shared Life, so I might start there.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19
There are so many things I don't understand, but I have decided to spend some time focusing on the doctrine of the Trinity this year. I believe in the Trinity and I understand, at some level, the concept of God being three persons in one. I want to really understand it though, as much as it is possible this side of heaven!
This is particularly important as I spend a lot of time talking to Muslim colleagues and friends who have no understanding of this and believe that Christians worship several gods. (I have also discovered that many Muslims think the Trinity is God the Father, Jesus and Mary.)
Part of the difficulty is that the term "Trinity" is never used in the Bible although there are many references throughout both the Old and New Testament to the Trinity. I want to take proper time studying the Bible so that I can understand this doctrine, which is so central to our Christian faith, and hopefully also be in a position to better explain it to others. Friends have recommended Donald Macleod's little book, Shared Life, so I might start there.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19
Labels: bible study, consider your ways, reading
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Justified by Faith in Christ
Happy Reformation Day! I hadn't heard of this holiday until recently, but I have learned that it has been celebrated by parts of the Lutheran and Reformed church for generations. It was on October 31st 1517 that Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, is said to have nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.
Luther never intended to split or even to leave his church. He was however angered about the use of indulgences, certificates sold by the church that claimed to release people from punishment in both this life and purgatory. He saw it as a money-making scheme and wanted to provoke debate on the real Biblical message on forgiveness.
Luther never intended to split or even to leave his church. He was however angered about the use of indulgences, certificates sold by the church that claimed to release people from punishment in both this life and purgatory. He saw it as a money-making scheme and wanted to provoke debate on the real Biblical message on forgiveness.
Luther wrote in the thirty-sixth thesis, "Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters." The Bible teaches that a sinner is saved by grace, not by works. Paul writes to the Ephesians that "by grace you have been saved t
hrough faith."
In a way, we would sometimes prefer if it was the other way round. It somehow seems fairer that way. Good people do more and get more. I have one Muslim friend whose biggest objection to Christianity is that it doesn't depend on what you do and that it doesn't seem fair that "all you need to do is believe in Jesus." Of course, we forget the great gulf that exists between us and God for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:21-28). Thankfully however, we as Christians worship a God who offers grace to us, restitution through Christ's sacrifice in bearing our sins on the cross.
Luther's actions set off what we now know as the Reformation, as a new movement came about, returning to the Bible to see what God's word said, testing the church traditions and doctrines and the papal decrees against it. The church split, forming slightly different Protestant groups across Europe, but there were five main doctrines, known as the Five Solas, common to them.
hrough faith."In a way, we would sometimes prefer if it was the other way round. It somehow seems fairer that way. Good people do more and get more. I have one Muslim friend whose biggest objection to Christianity is that it doesn't depend on what you do and that it doesn't seem fair that "all you need to do is believe in Jesus." Of course, we forget the great gulf that exists between us and God for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:21-28). Thankfully however, we as Christians worship a God who offers grace to us, restitution through Christ's sacrifice in bearing our sins on the cross.
Luther's actions set off what we now know as the Reformation, as a new movement came about, returning to the Bible to see what God's word said, testing the church traditions and doctrines and the papal decrees against it. The church split, forming slightly different Protestant groups across Europe, but there were five main doctrines, known as the Five Solas, common to them.
Sola Gratia - Salvation only comes by God's grace and not through any righteousness of our own. Ephesians 2:8-9Sola Fide - Salvation comes from faith alone and not from good works. Galations 2:15-16Sola Scriptura - The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and the only authoritative revelation of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17Solus Christus - Christ is the only mediator between man and God, and the only way to salvation. John 14:6Soli Deo Gloria - All of salvation is solely as a result of God, so all glory should be due to him. In the same way, everything we do as believers should all be the glory of God. Revelation 5:13
The Reformation also led to the Bible being translated from the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic into local languages, rather than just the Latin of the educated elite. Luther is known to have been influenced by the lives of John Wycliffe and 
Jan Hus many years before. Wycliffe translated the Bible into English, and was excommunicated from the church for it. His name is continued today by an organisation that seeks to translate the Bible into every known language. Jan Hus, influenced by Wycliffe, preached in and translated parts of the Bible into Bohemian (Czech), and because of this was condemned as a heretic by the church and burned on a stake.
The Westminster Confession of Faith went on to state that "because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope." We look forward to the day when every nation can read God's saving word in their own language, and, more so, we look forward to the day when we are in heaven and see "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9).
Jan Hus many years before. Wycliffe translated the Bible into English, and was excommunicated from the church for it. His name is continued today by an organisation that seeks to translate the Bible into every known language. Jan Hus, influenced by Wycliffe, preached in and translated parts of the Bible into Bohemian (Czech), and because of this was condemned as a heretic by the church and burned on a stake.The Westminster Confession of Faith went on to state that "because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope." We look forward to the day when every nation can read God's saving word in their own language, and, more so, we look forward to the day when we are in heaven and see "a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9).
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified...I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galations 2:16,21Labels: bible study, faith, history
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Beauty of Fire: You Shall Not be Burned
I don't have much to say today - I just want to share a few pieces of Scripture that I was reminded of reading the title. At first, I tried to think of anything to do with the beauty of fire: its warmth, its protection, its light. Then I remembered all the times that God spoke through and of fire, reminding us of his warmth, light, and protection.God used fire to seal his covenant with Abram that although his "offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years", they would inherit the promised land.(Genesis 15).
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land."
God spoke to Moses through the fire at Horeb (Exodus 3:2-6).
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush...When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
He then guided them out of Egypt in a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21-22).
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
God spoke to his people through the fire from Mount Sinai when he gave them the 10 Commandments (Deut 4-5).
And you said, 'Behold, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man and man still live. Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?
Finally, I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed recently. I started a new job a few months ago and, while I love it, it is so very busy. I have an exam in a few weeks that I can't see myself passing. My shifts mean I work every second Sunday so I feel at church as if everyone else is sailing past in a big ship but I am just struggling to keep up, furiously rowing in my little boat, trailing behind.
When I feel like this, I return to these pieces of Scripture, Zechariah 13:9 and Isaiah 43, to remind myself of who God is and his mighty power. Please take the time to slowly savour this, reminding yourself, as I continually have to do, that God is speaking to YOU here!
And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested.They will call upon my name, and I will answer them.I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"
But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.
Labels: bible study, carnival of beauty
Friday, September 22, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 14
What habit would you most like to establish this year?
I have to confess that recently I have failed in keeping up with Flylady as much as I would like. I'm now not at home very much since I started a new job so there is not much routine to my life. Thankfully, as Flylady says, "You are never behind - just jump right in where you are!" The house is much more organised and clutter-free thanks to her, but I am just getting away with the bare minimum. Having some proper organisation back would be good, so I will try again! That said, something is better than nothing, as Flylady would tell me!
As for spiritual habits, I think I need to ensure that I read my Bible at the beginning of every day. Sometimes I haven't been leaving enough time in the morning to read my Bible, so have left it to later in the day. Sometimes after a day on call, I don't take the time or have the energy for a proper devotional time. I wrote about getting up early a few months ago, so I need to re-establish that. Can I even aspire to join the 5:00 club?
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
Psalm 5:3
I have to confess that recently I have failed in keeping up with Flylady as much as I would like. I'm now not at home very much since I started a new job so there is not much routine to my life. Thankfully, as Flylady says, "You are never behind - just jump right in where you are!" The house is much more organised and clutter-free thanks to her, but I am just getting away with the bare minimum. Having some proper organisation back would be good, so I will try again! That said, something is better than nothing, as Flylady would tell me!
As for spiritual habits, I think I need to ensure that I read my Bible at the beginning of every day. Sometimes I haven't been leaving enough time in the morning to read my Bible, so have left it to later in the day. Sometimes after a day on call, I don't take the time or have the energy for a proper devotional time. I wrote about getting up early a few months ago, so I need to re-establish that. Can I even aspire to join the 5:00 club?
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
Psalm 5:3
Labels: accountability, bible study, biblical womanhood, consider your ways, homemaking
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 13
What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?
Since starting my Bible study group for young women, I have been so delighted to see how many times other young women have asked to come or said how much they feel something like this is needed.
Certainly, my friend and I started this group because biblical womanhood and the challenge of living it out has been one of the main topics of conversation since we became friends. We have talked for HOURS about it, debating, encouraging each other, praying together, reading the Bible.
Over the next year, by God's grace and mercy, I hope to continue doing this. I have so pleased to see how much the young women are getting out of meeting together, but also because I am learning so much myself about God, the Bible, biblical womanhood and the importance of fellowship and accountability.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
Since starting my Bible study group for young women, I have been so delighted to see how many times other young women have asked to come or said how much they feel something like this is needed.
Certainly, my friend and I started this group because biblical womanhood and the challenge of living it out has been one of the main topics of conversation since we became friends. We have talked for HOURS about it, debating, encouraging each other, praying together, reading the Bible.
Over the next year, by God's grace and mercy, I hope to continue doing this. I have so pleased to see how much the young women are getting out of meeting together, but also because I am learning so much myself about God, the Bible, biblical womanhood and the importance of fellowship and accountability.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
Psalm 119:63
Labels: accountability, bible study, biblical womanhood, consider your ways
Monday, August 21, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 7
For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
I have been having some really exciting conversations with one of my friends. We originally know each other from work but got to know each other better as we studied for postgraduate exams in a little group.
She is in a difficult situation. She lives with her boyfriend and has done for a few years. They love each other...but he won't marry her. Apparently, he will only marry a Christian. Now, if he is a Christian (I don't know what his own understanding of this is), he has got himself into a terrible situation - he should never have started going out with her, never mind living with her. But she loves him and wants to marry him. So she has tried to read the Bible but got stuck at Leviticus and gave up. At the same time, she is quite scared about reading the Bible - what if all this Christian stuff is really true? What if she has to become a Christian!?!
Now she has been asking me questions as she knows that I am a Christian. She is going to read through the Gospels and then we are going to meet to chat about them. As you read this, please just take a moment to pray for her and her boyfriend that they will both be drawn towards God, that he will rededicate his life to Christ and that she will come to know God for herself. Please also pray that I will be kept faithful in prayer for their salvation and be a faithful witness to her as we discuss the Bible and the Christian faith.
My word...shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
I have been having some really exciting conversations with one of my friends. We originally know each other from work but got to know each other better as we studied for postgraduate exams in a little group.
She is in a difficult situation. She lives with her boyfriend and has done for a few years. They love each other...but he won't marry her. Apparently, he will only marry a Christian. Now, if he is a Christian (I don't know what his own understanding of this is), he has got himself into a terrible situation - he should never have started going out with her, never mind living with her. But she loves him and wants to marry him. So she has tried to read the Bible but got stuck at Leviticus and gave up. At the same time, she is quite scared about reading the Bible - what if all this Christian stuff is really true? What if she has to become a Christian!?!
Now she has been asking me questions as she knows that I am a Christian. She is going to read through the Gospels and then we are going to meet to chat about them. As you read this, please just take a moment to pray for her and her boyfriend that they will both be drawn towards God, that he will rededicate his life to Christ and that she will come to know God for herself. Please also pray that I will be kept faithful in prayer for their salvation and be a faithful witness to her as we discuss the Bible and the Christian faith.
My word...shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
Labels: bible study, consider your ways, mission, prayer
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 6
What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
Maybe I am cheating a little on this one as it is not something I am going to start doing, but I hope this counts as I have just started it and really want to focus on it this year! Just recently the elders in my church asked me to start a Bible study group for young women. There is definitely a void in that area, but I was surprised (and delighted) to be asked to lead it.
We have just started meeting together and have started by studying the idea of biblical womanhood together. I thought we should know and understand the basics first before moving on to consider other issues.
It has been such a blessing to meet together. These are young women who yearn to be women after God's own heart, who want to aspire to godly womanhood, who want to be courted by godly men, who want to raise God-fearing families. Some of the girls are still in university, some have jobs (with some in senior positions in high-powered jobs too), yet it has been so interesting to see that God has indeed placed these desires within all of our hearts! Society's teaching of "gender sameness" is being rejected by these young women. Instead there is the recognition of the equality of men and women as people made in his image, but with different roles and responsibilities.
Please pray for us as you read this, that it might be a blessing to me and to these young women to delve into Scripture for this teaching and for us as together we try to become women who fear the Lord.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
Maybe I am cheating a little on this one as it is not something I am going to start doing, but I hope this counts as I have just started it and really want to focus on it this year! Just recently the elders in my church asked me to start a Bible study group for young women. There is definitely a void in that area, but I was surprised (and delighted) to be asked to lead it.
We have just started meeting together and have started by studying the idea of biblical womanhood together. I thought we should know and understand the basics first before moving on to consider other issues.
It has been such a blessing to meet together. These are young women who yearn to be women after God's own heart, who want to aspire to godly womanhood, who want to be courted by godly men, who want to raise God-fearing families. Some of the girls are still in university, some have jobs (with some in senior positions in high-powered jobs too), yet it has been so interesting to see that God has indeed placed these desires within all of our hearts! Society's teaching of "gender sameness" is being rejected by these young women. Instead there is the recognition of the equality of men and women as people made in his image, but with different roles and responsibilities.
Please pray for us as you read this, that it might be a blessing to me and to these young women to delve into Scripture for this teaching and for us as together we try to become women who fear the Lord.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 19:8
Labels: bible study, biblical womanhood, consider your ways
Friday, August 04, 2006
Consider Your Ways: Question 1
My birthday is soon approaching. As I reflect on the year past and the year to come, I'm going to go through some questions recommended by the Girltalk ladies set by Don Whitney. Perhaps you would like to join me as I prayerfully reflect on his article from The Center for Biblical Spirituality. I offer these thoughts here to make me accountable so that next year, as I return to this, I can give thanks to God for the work he has done in my life and I can see where the house is still in ruins.
What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
I really need to be more disciplined about my Quiet Time. I need to make sure that it is a priority of my day and not just something squished into a few minutes before I run out the door.
When I am reminded of the great strength and power the Bible holds, I become disappointed in myself at the times my devotions are a chore. I have to remember that it is the Evil One telling me not to read, not to pray, and not to meditate on the Word. I must not listen to his lies. I do have enough time. There are other things to be done, but none as important as this. I do need to spend time in the Word. I can't manage on my own. My own strength is not sufficient.
I am always so surprised what a joy and a relief it is to come to the Lord in prayer, so delighted when I read God's word and dive deep into its riches. Through this, I can come to know God better and so glorify and enjoy him forever.
Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways."
Haggai 1:3-5
Haggai 1:3-5
Labels: bible study, consider your ways, prayer
