Check out this exciting event!!
I have been invited to attend the Imagine event in Washington, DC!
Here is a link to see the many other locations
Thanks to Women of Faith and Booksneeze for this opportunity!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Women of Faith
Check out this exciting event!!
I have been invited to attend the Imagine event in Washington, DC!
Here is a link to see the many other locations
Thanks to Women of Faith and Booksneeze for this opportunity!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Stepping Up - Session 6
Session 6 - Blessing from Zion
And so we reach the end of the Stepping Up Bible Study. Funny how it took much longer than 6 weeks to complete...many times we were taking steps off of this particular path! This session discussed how Psalms of Ascent were centered around the Israelites pilgramage to Jerusalem and how we as Christians are also on a journey. Beth gave us 4 ways to have a satisfying journey.
1. We are to continually survey the road. Jeremiah 31:21 God gives us signs along our journey and the Holy Spirit helps us to interpret those signs.
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lighten our load. All of our sin entangles us and does not let us get closer to God. To be able to take those next steps we need to throw off everything that is hindering us.
3. Take the next step with the strength that is provided by Him. Isaiah 40:28-31 He will give you the strength that you need to walk out of whatever valley that you are in.
4. Know with certainty that the destination is worth the trip. Isaiah 35:3-10 Our pilgramage will come to an end. We will meet God and have everlasting joy!!!
keep on walking...
keep putting one foot in front of the other...
keep on taking that next step
and every step we take we praise the LORD.
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
And so we reach the end of the Stepping Up Bible Study. Funny how it took much longer than 6 weeks to complete...many times we were taking steps off of this particular path! This session discussed how Psalms of Ascent were centered around the Israelites pilgramage to Jerusalem and how we as Christians are also on a journey. Beth gave us 4 ways to have a satisfying journey.
1. We are to continually survey the road. Jeremiah 31:21 God gives us signs along our journey and the Holy Spirit helps us to interpret those signs.
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lighten our load. All of our sin entangles us and does not let us get closer to God. To be able to take those next steps we need to throw off everything that is hindering us.
3. Take the next step with the strength that is provided by Him. Isaiah 40:28-31 He will give you the strength that you need to walk out of whatever valley that you are in.
4. Know with certainty that the destination is worth the trip. Isaiah 35:3-10 Our pilgramage will come to an end. We will meet God and have everlasting joy!!!
keep on walking...
keep putting one foot in front of the other...
keep on taking that next step
and every step we take we praise the LORD.
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 5
Day 5 - The Lord Bless You
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Everytime you praise God you are doing what He created you to do. The lesson states "that we depart times of blessing God with blessings from God."
There are many moments of blessing or praising God through the Psalms of Ascent. The pilgramage to Jerusalem was all about praising God. Now in this final Psalm of Ascent we see the Benediction, the final words of praise the pilgrams heard and the final words were "May the Lord bless you." It is a final encouragement and a reminder that when we praise God we will be blessed.
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Everytime you praise God you are doing what He created you to do. The lesson states "that we depart times of blessing God with blessings from God."
There are many moments of blessing or praising God through the Psalms of Ascent. The pilgramage to Jerusalem was all about praising God. Now in this final Psalm of Ascent we see the Benediction, the final words of praise the pilgrams heard and the final words were "May the Lord bless you." It is a final encouragement and a reminder that when we praise God we will be blessed.
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 4
Day 4 - Bless the Lord
Psalm 134
1 Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up holy hands in prayer,
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Jerusalem.
At the end of the journey to Jerusalem all that is left to do is praise the Lord! Nothing is more important than that. A quote from the lesson, "You and I...were created to praise God; so let's spend priority time doing what we came to do". The lesson also said this "Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightning. Has God lit up your sky with lightning that you've not answered with thunder?"
After hearing that metaphor for praising God I don't think I will ever view a thunder storm in the same way again!
Let's praise our Lord...
Psalm 134
1 Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up holy hands in prayer,
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Jerusalem.
At the end of the journey to Jerusalem all that is left to do is praise the Lord! Nothing is more important than that. A quote from the lesson, "You and I...were created to praise God; so let's spend priority time doing what we came to do". The lesson also said this "Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightning. Has God lit up your sky with lightning that you've not answered with thunder?"
After hearing that metaphor for praising God I don't think I will ever view a thunder storm in the same way again!
Let's praise our Lord...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 3
Day 3 - A United Family of God
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The previous day's lesson looked at unity in the family. Today the lesson expands into unity within the Church. This is not only within your local church, but the whole Church, the entire body of Christ.
I have often wondered what is the difference between all the Christian denominations and why there are so many. If we are all Christians then why are there so many different kinds of churches. It seem that Christians have broken off into so many different directions and denominations that the Church as a whole is confused and even some important, fundamental doctrines are not common among them. These differing beliefs have caused Christians to fight with Christians. The unity we are called to uphold is destroyed.
A couple of quotes from the lesson:
"Christ wants believers to be one: black, brown, or white. Charismatic or noncharismatic. Calvinist or Arminian. Southern Baptist or Freewill Baptist."
"Jesus' kind of unity doesn't exist until two people stand shoulder to shoulder who before stood sword to sword...Let's love each other when we wouldn't even like each other."
The lesson had an exercise in thinking about differing issues of various churches. Which issues are nonnegotiable fundamental doctrine and what are some issues that are varying between denominations. I thought of a few and then did an internet search. I was surprised at some of the real differences when I looked closely at this document that compares many denominational beliefs.
For example, I assumed that believing in the Inerrancy of the Bible was a solid foundational doctrine - well, not according to 2 of the 7 denominations compared. There was also one that views Satan metaphorically, one that does not entirely believe in eternal hell, 2 that believe it is possible to lose salvation, and 1 that believes that salvation can be found outside Christianity!
Satan is winning and we need to fight back!
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The previous day's lesson looked at unity in the family. Today the lesson expands into unity within the Church. This is not only within your local church, but the whole Church, the entire body of Christ.
I have often wondered what is the difference between all the Christian denominations and why there are so many. If we are all Christians then why are there so many different kinds of churches. It seem that Christians have broken off into so many different directions and denominations that the Church as a whole is confused and even some important, fundamental doctrines are not common among them. These differing beliefs have caused Christians to fight with Christians. The unity we are called to uphold is destroyed.
A couple of quotes from the lesson:
"Christ wants believers to be one: black, brown, or white. Charismatic or noncharismatic. Calvinist or Arminian. Southern Baptist or Freewill Baptist."
"Jesus' kind of unity doesn't exist until two people stand shoulder to shoulder who before stood sword to sword...Let's love each other when we wouldn't even like each other."
The lesson had an exercise in thinking about differing issues of various churches. Which issues are nonnegotiable fundamental doctrine and what are some issues that are varying between denominations. I thought of a few and then did an internet search. I was surprised at some of the real differences when I looked closely at this document that compares many denominational beliefs.
For example, I assumed that believing in the Inerrancy of the Bible was a solid foundational doctrine - well, not according to 2 of the 7 denominations compared. There was also one that views Satan metaphorically, one that does not entirely believe in eternal hell, 2 that believe it is possible to lose salvation, and 1 that believes that salvation can be found outside Christianity!
Satan is winning and we need to fight back!
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 2
Day 2 - A United Family of Man
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The lesson today talks about family unity and the idea that God placed us within our specific family for a reason. We can choose our friends and generally we make friendships with people that we prefer to be around. However, we cannot choose our family, we are stuck with them, but this can be good for us. The lesson stated "if we only choose to be around those who require virtually nothing hard from us, what will prompt us (force us) to change."
Of course we can also choose to not be around those family members that are hard to be around. But is that what we are supposed to do? No, God has put these family members permanently in our lives for a reason. That reason may be to require you to change something about yourself.
If you are estranged from any family member you need to seriously evaluate why that is and what you can do to change the situation. God is telling us in this Psalm that living in harmony with our family is as precious as the oil used to dedicate priests to God's service.
In Psalm 23 God anoints our heads with oil too. We are called into that same service and part of that service to God is to ensure harmony and unity within our families. This may seem an impossible task, especially in some situations, but think of what you can do to promote harmony or at least not provoke further disunity!
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The lesson today talks about family unity and the idea that God placed us within our specific family for a reason. We can choose our friends and generally we make friendships with people that we prefer to be around. However, we cannot choose our family, we are stuck with them, but this can be good for us. The lesson stated "if we only choose to be around those who require virtually nothing hard from us, what will prompt us (force us) to change."
Of course we can also choose to not be around those family members that are hard to be around. But is that what we are supposed to do? No, God has put these family members permanently in our lives for a reason. That reason may be to require you to change something about yourself.
If you are estranged from any family member you need to seriously evaluate why that is and what you can do to change the situation. God is telling us in this Psalm that living in harmony with our family is as precious as the oil used to dedicate priests to God's service.
In Psalm 23 God anoints our heads with oil too. We are called into that same service and part of that service to God is to ensure harmony and unity within our families. This may seem an impossible task, especially in some situations, but think of what you can do to promote harmony or at least not provoke further disunity!
Stepping Up:Week 6 - Day 1
Day 1 - God Talks Back
Psalm 132: 11-18
11 The LORD swore an oath to David
with a promise he will never take back:
“I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant
and the laws that I teach them,
then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem;
he has desired it for his home.
14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
I will satisfy its poor with food.
16 I will clothe its priests with godliness;
its faithful servants will sing for joy.
17 Here I will increase the power of David;
my anointed one will be a light for my people.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but he will be a glorious king.”
This Psalm shows how God answers prayers but then goes so much further. God granted the Psalmist plea that the king would not be rejected. Then He added so much more to it
- his decesendant would sit on the throne forever
- the city would be abundantly blessed
- his enemies would be shamed
- the king will be glorious and a light for the people
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
We cannot begin to imagine what He can do. If we think it and pray for it, He will come up with something better. No matter what we think up and pray for, He can do it and much, much more. Of course, He may not grant our requests, but it is important for us to realize that He can. He is the maker of heaven and earth, so certainly He can do better than anything we can dream up!
Psalm 132: 11-18
11 The LORD swore an oath to David
with a promise he will never take back:
“I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant
and the laws that I teach them,
then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem;
he has desired it for his home.
14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
I will satisfy its poor with food.
16 I will clothe its priests with godliness;
its faithful servants will sing for joy.
17 Here I will increase the power of David;
my anointed one will be a light for my people.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but he will be a glorious king.”
This Psalm shows how God answers prayers but then goes so much further. God granted the Psalmist plea that the king would not be rejected. Then He added so much more to it
- his decesendant would sit on the throne forever
- the city would be abundantly blessed
- his enemies would be shamed
- the king will be glorious and a light for the people
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
We cannot begin to imagine what He can do. If we think it and pray for it, He will come up with something better. No matter what we think up and pray for, He can do it and much, much more. Of course, He may not grant our requests, but it is important for us to realize that He can. He is the maker of heaven and earth, so certainly He can do better than anything we can dream up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)