Fall Study

My Aching Bones - Psalm 6

11:00 AM

 


Today’s reading - Psalm 6, Hebrews 10:19-22  


One of the things I love most about the Psalms is the way they convey the hurts, joys, hopes, and sorrows of every Christian. And in Psalm 6, the pain David feels resonates deep inside my heart. Because I too know the anguish of sinning against God. The brokenness of realizing what a mess I’ve made, and the despair of the consequences that are sure to follow.


Like David, I have felt the wretchedness that comes from disobedience to God. How the shame literally manifests into physical pain, from deep in my heart to deep in my bones. And the bottomless groaning of exhaustion that comes from crying too many tears to count. For me there is no greater pain then being out of fellowship with God. To be separated, if only temporary, from His presence is agony for my soul. 


But also like David, I trust in the mercy, promises, and love of God. I know that even though I’m not, God is good all of the time. The Lord knows my heart. And when I come bowed before Him in humility, He sees my sorrow. And in my repentance, He graciously welcomes me back to a place I don’t deserve; into His loving arms. Restoring me with all joy and peace, and abounding me in hope! (Rom. 15:13)


Pause and Reflect - Are in you in a place of being separated from God? Have you come before Him in humility and honesty? There’s nothing more that God loves than a repentant and humble heart. And when we acknowledge our wrongs before Him, God is faithful to forgive and restore. (1 John 1:9)


During periods of fear and despair, do you believe in your heart that God will come to your rescue? Hebrews 11:1 tells us that true faith is assurance of things hoped for. No matter the circumstance, are you filled with assurance of God’s delivery? 


Finally, let’s pray together, 


Dearest Father, O how great are you, God? Even though we are fallen beings who fail you daily, You remain steadfast. When we falter, Your love and mercy rescues us from the world, the Enemy, and most of all, ourselves. Father help us to come before You each day with hearts and minds that are humble and repentant. May we approach You with the confidence of David, who knew You love to answer the prayers of Your humble, obedient, children. And may we walk this and every day in fellowship with You. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen!

Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💕 Lisa

Joel 2

Return and be Restored {Joel 2}

3:00 PM


Please read Joel 2     
   

It doesn’t make our repentance less valid because we are scared of God’s judgment.  What is important, is that we turn back to the Lord with sincerity.  Here in Joel 2, we will see how…

Sincere repentance is to turn to God, and away from sin.  Sincere repentance is done with ALL your heart, giving everything you can in surrender to God.

Sincere repentance is marked by action (with fasting) and emotion (weeping/mourning).  Not every act of repentance will including fasting and weeping, but if action and emotion are absent, it isn’t real repentance.

Image result for Joel 2

Galatians 5:19-21 gives us a list of fleshly sins like sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and others…  And James 1:15 reminds us that these desires lead to sinful actions, and when we continue to do these actions, it leads to death.

So you say, “that is not something I do.”  But what about how you respond to circumstances or relationships?  Anxiety, worry, fear, bitterness, depression, pride, resentment and anger all have their roots in sin (Romans 14:23; 1 John 5:17; James 4:17).  Just in case you thought reading your horoscope was ok, it actually ranks right there with fortune-telling, psychics, numerology and astrology.  These all take the place of trusting God – and needs to be repented.

So often when we read books like Joel, we become frightened because we fear God’s judgment (take a look back – fear is a sin).  Romans 2:4 reminds us that the kindness of God leads you to repentance and 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that God is patiently waiting for us to repent.  Repentance reminds me of the prodigal son story.  Luke 15:20 tells us that while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and ran to embrace him and kissed him.

You remember how much you enjoyed watching your child sleep?  God looks at us with such deep love and affection too!  And God is waiting for you to come to Him in repentance.  All it takes is humility on our part and faith to believe that a loving Father will hear our honest plea and cleanse us of our sin.

Image result for Joel 2, repentance

God's Faithfulness

God Longs For You {Hosea 11:1-14:9}

12:00 AM



Israel had turned away from the Lord. They rejected His love, choosing instead to chase after foreign gods and live in rebellion. To show the people how far they had fallen, God commanded the prophet Hosea to choose a prostitute and marry her. Hosea picked Gomer, who despite his love and faithfulness, continued in her adulterous ways. Hosea went throughout the land preaching that Israel was the same as a prostitute. As the beloved bride of God, they too, despite His love and faithfulness, continued in their adulterous ways. 

To further prove His point, God instructed Hosea to perform an act of humility, done completely out of love. Upon returning home from sharing God’s message, Hosea found his wife selling herself to the highest bidder. Can you imagine the pain and shame Hosea felt? After all he had given Gomer, there she was eagerly seeking another. Regardless, and even though she didn’t deserve it, God told Hosea to go and bid for his wife; paying whatever it took to redeem her from harlotry. 

This amazing example of selfless love is the same love God has for us. Even in our unfaithfulness, and at great personal cost, He sent His Son Jesus to redeem us from our harlotry. A gift we don’t deserve, can never earn, and one He offers freely to all who love Him. And what does He want in return? What God longs for most of all is a close intimate relationship with those that He calls His own. 

He wants us to walk with Him in love, worship, and obedience. His love for us remains true and everlasting. Even when we are unfaithful, when we reject Him, God never rejects us. He waits patiently until that time, when in repentance, we run back to His loving, and forgiving arms. Even through Israel’s sin and exile God yearned for restoration with His people. “How can I give you up O Ephraim? How can I surrender you O Israel? ...My heart is turned over with in Me, all My compassions are kindled.” (vs. 11:8) “Return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually.” (vs. 12:6)

The book of Hosea is a love letter from God to His people. In it He shows His abundant grace; loving and caring for us even when we don’t love Him in return. And just as Hosea took back his unfaithful wife, God is always willing to forgive and restore his unfaithful people. We may turn our backs on Him, but the Lord will never stop graciously calling us, His beloveds, back to Himself! “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Joel 2:13)


Genesis

A Loving Invitation {Genesis 31:1-36:43}

10:30 PM



For so many years Jacob was a “supplanter” , someone who would always have his way. He became a successful man like many we would actually know, but he lacked of something no money could buy: the Peace of God.  Jacob was about to meet his brother and the angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection, (32:1-2). This encouraged him to carefully plan meeting his brother… his enemy, but still he was consumed by fear! (32:2-8). Would this meeting be peaceful?

Jacob then prays with thankful acknowledgment of undeserved favors; he humbly confessed his unworthiness, his fears and distress!  He was finally seeking God with all his being! He was confessing with faith God’s promises to him: “ 12 And You [Lord] said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’”   (32:9-12) For a while this prayer seemed to calm him a bit, then he continued to plan the meeting with Esau by sending  a great present to him: “… For he said [to himself], “I will try to appease him with the gift that is going ahead of me. Then afterward I will see him; perhaps he will accept and forgive me.” 21 So the gift [of the herds of livestock] went on ahead of him, and he himself spent that night back in the camp.” (32:13-21) Then he sends his wives, children and servants ahead of him and is left alone.

 “A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigor and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. “  M. Henry

Jacob was blessed, and His name was changed from, Jacob =“supplanter” to Israel= “a prince with God”

Jacob gives a new name to the place. He calls it Peniel, “the face of God, “because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favor of God! (32:30-31)

What about you? Are you anxious about a particular situation in your life? Are you feeling distressed, weary? Let me remind you of a loving invitation from our Heavenly Father to you:

1 Chronicles 16:11 (AMP)
10 Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.11 Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

Psalm 27:8 (AMP)
8 When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You,“Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”

Amos 5:4(AMP )4 For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel,
“Seek Me [search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food] so that you may live.

Jesus said:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” (Matt. 11:28)
We must remember: “If God is for us, who is against us?” If He is for us, we have the victory! 

Neither human nor demonic opposition can thwart the purposes of our sovereign God (Romans 8:31-39). Let us Praise Him as we wait on that which God has promised to do! Let us take a lesson from Jacob and hold fast to the One who has promised to never let us go!

Blessings!
Mari



Becky Austin

RESTORATION { Philemon 1 }

12:14 AM





The book of Philemon is only a single chapter, a single letter written for a very important reason.  In this letter, Paul issues a plea  on behalf of a runaway slave.  This slave was named Onesimus which means " useful."  We are not given the details, but somehow this slave came into contact with Paul while he was a prisoner in Rome and a very special bond was formed between them. Paul became like a father to Onesimus and although he wanted to keep him with him because he was such a comfort and help, he also wanted to do the right thing and send him back to his owner, Philemon. 

We know that Onesimus was serving in the home of a Christian family from the greeting Paul gives in his letter : “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,” (v1). But Paul is aware that because Onesimus did not leave his master under favorable terms, there could be ill feelings or perhaps hesitancy to receive him with open arms. 

 Paul wants Philemon to know that Onesimus has changed and Paul pleads on behalf of Onesimus for full forgiveness and restoration. “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.” (V10-12)

Can you see in this story the same love of our Heavenly Father.  He takes us as we are, running away from righteousness to indulge our sinful desires.  We were of no use to Him and yet He takes us under his wing and transforms us through a close relationship into a vessel that is useful for glorifying Him and useful for the work of His kingdom. He gives us full forgiveness and restoration and He tells us we are His very heart. 
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are...”‭‭ (1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭)

Paul also references that there may have been a divine purpose in Onesimus leaving his master and ending up being taught of Paul. “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” ( v15-16). We may see our loved ones go down wrong paths and make foolish decisions, but God in his sovereignty can redeem such situations and intervene in ways we might not imagine possible.  This should encourage us to keep praying for the lost and wandering souls in our lives.  Pray that God would pursue them with a great love.

Paul closes his letter with a promise to make good on Onesimus' behalf anything that he owes and to take full responsibility for restitution.  “So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self." (v17-19)

Again, we see the picture of Christ making full restitution and payment for our sins and debts.  On our behalf, Christ reconciles us to God.  God accepts us as he would accept Christ.  
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”‭‭ (Colossians‬ ‭1:19-22‬ ‭)

This letter is a beautiful display of love, forgiveness, transformation and restoration.  Paul intervenes to restore Onesimus to Philemon.  Christ intervened to provide full restoration between us and our Heavenly Father.  We should praise and thank him for seeing value in us and we should strive to see value in others.  Pray for others, forgive them and desire to promote restoration whenever possible.  

2 Corinthians

Forgiveness... A Stronghold Against Satan {2Corinthians 2}

1:30 AM





In a previous visit to Corinth, known as the "painful visit",  Paul's authority had been openly challenged by a member of the Corinthian church.  Disheartened by the lack of defense for him by fellow church members, Paul returned to Ephesus.  There he wrote what is called the "severe letter" insisting the church turn away from their sinful actions and the offending brother be disciplined.  To Paul's joy, a majority of the Corinthian Christians responded by repenting of their rebellion against him and punishing the committer of the offense. Deciding that the time was still not right for another visit,  Paul instead writes this second letter explaining his reasons for his change in travel plans, his desire to spare the church more distress, and the important role of forgiveness in discipline.

Paul begins by saying, "But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?" (vs. 1:2)  Paul was still feeling the sting of disappointment and rejection. His last visit was plagued with conflict and he didn't want to take the chance of damaging further his relationship with the Corinthian church. He thought it best to send a letter to pour out his heart and test the waters for a future trip.  Sometimes in strained relationships it's better to take a step back. Often times putting our thoughts and feelings in a letter instead of directly confronting the situation can help soften the rough patches and prevent the deterioration of a relationship.  

Now Paul moves on to the discipline of the one who had publicly rebelled against him. The church had done what Paul had asked and punished the offender, perhaps even too harshly. And so Paul tells them that although the punishment was correct, now was the time for forgiveness. "Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him." (vs. 6:8)  As Christians it's important to remember that discipline is meant for restoration and renewal, not retribution and rejection.  Never is the goal of discipline to beat someone down so emotionally and spiritually that their spirits become broken leaving them full of despair and hopelessness.  Always discipline must be tempered with love and followed by forgiveness.

Paul understood the stronghold forgiveness provides against the schemes of Satan. "But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven , if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes." (vs. 10:11)   The devil has many tricks in his bag of deception and unforgiveness is one of them.  He reminds us of the many ways a person has wronged us. How they should be made to feel guilt and shame. But by casting aside the lies of the enemy and choosing to forgive, we prevent bitterness from taking hold and festering in our spirits.  Bitterness only builds a wall between our hearts and God, and gives Satan a foothold in our lives.  And worst of all, it can cause us to exhibit behavior that might lead others away from God.

In Hebrews 12:15 we are told, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it may be defiled."  As followers of Jesus we are to show the grace of God to all we meet.  We are His ambassadors in the world.  And as Paul tells us in verse 15 we are, "...a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing." Our lives should be such a testimony of the love and grace of Jesus that it is a light to those who would receive it, and condemnation to those who would reject it.  Ephesians 5:2 says that Christ loved us so much that He became a substitute for us and gave Himself up, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Because of His sacrifice we are the aroma of Christ to God.  An aroma we should wear proudly, lovingly, and obediently.  So today ask yourself this....what fragrance are you wearing?






1 Corinthians

What Do You Do With The Leaven Among You? {1 Corinthians 5}

12:30 AM

We’ve come to a very difficult subject and chapter! But that’s the beauty of this study, for there’s no getting around it; we must face it head-on and deal with this today! What do we do with those who are in sin and unwilling to repent?

I take comfort in knowing that the young church was dealing with this issue almost from the time of it’s conception, for clearly this chapter is still very relevant today! My husband and I work in the counseling  room at our church once a month and we see more and more couples, who are opening living together and not married yet, coming to join the church these days. What are we supposed to do about that? What would you do? What do we do with believers who choose to live contrary to the Scriptures set before us?

First, it’s imperative to note that Paul is talking about a believer, for many today seem to be confused and tend to treat believers and nonbelievers alike, and that’s clearly not the case, for how would we ever be able to bring a person to Jesus if we treated them as someone who already knows the truth and chooses to rebel against it?

Secondly, it’s also important to note that in this chapter, sin is running rampant throughout the whole body and not just in this one individual. Notice, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?” 5:1-2 (emphasis mine)

Pride shows up many different ways; criticism, competition, stubbornness and boasting among others.The trouble with pride is it’s self-deceiving. Usually everyone else can see it in us but us. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin”. Pride destroys relationships, but humility builds them up! 1 Peter 3:8, “Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble”.

Can you see why Paul needs to deal with not just this man’s sin, but the whole body’s?
How are they going to do away with the pride and grow in humility?

It happens by letting Jesus Christ begin to control our thoughts, hearts, attitudes and actions. He’s got to be a part of this. Ephesians 4:23-24 says, “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person”. The basic law of relationships is this: We tend to become like the people we spend the most time with. Those who are sanctified and holy, will genuinely lead us to become holier, and those who are habitually walking in sin, can cause us to let down our guard and lean towards sinful ways. Notice what Paul is saying in 5:6-8, “Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?  Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Matthew Henry explains what Paul is saying this way: “The Jews, after they had killed the passover, kept the feast of unleavened bread. So must we; not for seven days only, but all our days. We should die with our Saviour to sin, be planted into the likeness of his death by mortifying sin, and into the likeness of his resurrection by rising again to newness of life, and that internal and external. We must have new hearts and new lives. Note, The whole life of a Christian must be a feast of unleavened bread.”

If we want to have more humility, we need to spend time with Jesus Christ. When we spend time with Him in prayer and reading His Word and talking to him we will become more like Him. He is the epitome of humility, and as we get to know him better, we will grow in humility rather than pride. Simple as that, and hopefully we’ll become a positive influence on others.

“Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves …. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to”.

This MUST happen first, and then we will be ready to deal with the leaven, or sin among us. 1 Corinthians 5:13 seems rather harsh, “Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” Cast him out of your fellowship, and avoid his conversation.”

Again let me enlist the help of Matthew Henry, “But, as to members of the church, they are within, are professedly bound by the laws and rules of Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of God, but to the censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because the sins of such much more dishonour God than the sins of the openly wicked and profane can do.”

It seems harsh, but it is done in the hopes that this individual will repent and come back to walk uprightly with God once more. To continue to remain silent and thereby condoning his actions would never bring about change and could lead others and even yourself to follow their ways.

We should correct a brother or sister when you see a pattern of sin that calls his or her salvation into question. If we love our brothers and sister then we will carefully point out their sins. Remaining silent in the face of ongoing rebellion against God will not bring change. If we truly love God and others, we should want to do all we can to right their relationships with God and others. Our love for God and His people should make us zealous to speak out, to be in accountability groups where private sins can be addressed, and to build relationships where we move beyond superficial relationships and move to more deep and intimate levels were we can work to build others up and move them further along on our journey with our Savior and Lord.