Know What You Believe-(and a book giveaway)

I am excited to share Defending The Faith by Mary Jo Sharp with you. It is vital we know who and what we believe. She states that women’s ministries are faced with a growing problem which is “women living out what they truly believe and the problem is that these beliefs are not based on biblical truth.” She goes on to say that there is less a desire to know biblical truth but to focus on felt needs.

I have been involved in Women’s ministry for over 30 years, from a spectator, participant, team member and leader. One thing I have noticed over the years is that the ministries with the most success -defined by women growing in their faith, their lives changed and differences made in their homes and families were the ones that focused on knowing God and His word above all else. Yes there should be times for teas, luncheons, and just for fun activities because we are women and enjoy the fellowship of each other. But if the focus is only on fun, getting together, meeting felt or emotional needs there will be lack of growth and no change in the lives of the women.

It is important that as women we are in the word for ourselves, learning and growing. If all the studies that we are doing is just reading what God has shown someone else with a few bible passages we won’t grow. If we want to know and believe God, to get to the heart of the issue and be transformed we have to be in the word.
In John 20:31 John tells us that he wrote his gospel so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ , the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name.
For other thoughts on this you might like:

http://kimlenon.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/no-longer-gullible/

http://kimlenon.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/desiring-gods-word/

Following are some quotes from the book:
“In this book, I am proposing a new approach to women’s ministries that addresses the basic need of women to know the truth about God and thus to trust Him: the study of apologetics specifically for women so that they can learn the truth about God, believe in Him and live out their faith through their actions”.

“Belief in God, however is radically different from the beliefs that speak soothing words to our sinful nature. This is where much of our problems arise with women’s ministries, we desire comfort over the truth.”

“Instead of digging deep into our theological and philosophical questions, we may be living out a bogus belief in Jesus that is all about personal comfort and peace. It is not the truth about reality. “

“If we want women’s ministries to be effectual in aiding the transformation of people’s lives, we must address some hard, fundamental issues. This means we will have to stop behaving as though God exists to meet our emotional needs and personal goals, and get serious about nourishing our minds and affirming that we exist to learn the truth about Him so that we can live for His glory.”

After establishing the need to rethink women’s ministries she offers help in how to get it on the right track.

I recommend this book, not only for leaders but for any women in the church.
Philippians 3:8-11 Paul says he counted all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…..that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..

And in 2 Timothy 1:12 that he knows who he believes and is convinced of Jesus and what he does.

Like Paul, I want to know Him and have this confidence and belief!

To be entered into the random drawing to be held Saturday, May 25 at midnight, leave a comment below and/ or “like” my Facebook page.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Desiring God’s Word

“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. “ 1 Peter 2:2-3

It is vital to my growth and walk with the Lord to spend time in His word and I notice a difference when I do not.
I was reminded of this last week when our son and daughter-in law brought home their new baby girl. While feeding her I realized I want to be like her with that same desire. All she wanted was her milk and nothing else would satisfy until she had it. Another thing I noticed was while she was eating; her beautiful brown eyes never left mine. I was the source of her satisfaction and food for her growth and life, just as the Father and His word is ours. We need to be like babies in the sense of being satisfied and filled with the word and nothing else while looking intently into our Father’s eyes. We do this when we know He is the only source of satisfaction and true nourishment to grow and live.

As I was watched my other grandchildren, ages 10, 7 and 4 eating I noticed how much they loved their food. They no longer just drink milk but eat solid foods. We need to progress like that in our spiritual life. We need to move away from the “milk” or elementary things of God’s word into the “meat”.

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. “Hebrews 5:12-14

Think about it. How satisfied would you be if you only drank liquids, lived on snacks or other’s leftovers?
How do you feel when you have had a good meal of healthy, hearty foods?

It’s the same for our spiritual diets. The more “real food” of God’s word we eat ourselves the more we will grow and be spiritually strong.

In order to continue with the craving as an infant for their milk and move on to meat, it is vital we make the time to be in God’s word. I also understand the many seasons of life and how it can be a struggle to find the time.

My friend Melissa of hiveresources.com has a great series called “Devotions Drilled Down”. In this series you will hear from women in different seasons of their life and how they have time with the Lord in His word.

The links are below.

http://hiveresources.com/ministry-monday-devotions-drilled-down-into-five-steps/

http://hiveresources.com/devotions-drilled-down-how-a-bible-study-teacher-manages-her-quiet-time/

http://hiveresources.com/devotions-drilled-down-quiet-times-for-busy-new-moms/

http://hiveresources.com/devotions-drilled-down-a-tool-for-an-effective-quiet-time/

To live inside out we need a steady, healthy diet of God’s word.

Abide

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:1-11)

Abiding in the True Vine- Jesus is vital to our growth and daily living. He says we are to abide in Him, His words and His love many times in these 11 verses.

What does it mean to abide? The Greek word is menō : to remain, stay, continue.

From this passage we see that if we abide in the true vine-Jesus we will bear much fruit, glorify the Father and be full of joy.

In examining our lives are there other things that we abide in other than Jesus?

What were the results?

I know that at times I have abided in other things except Him. These were expectations, loneliness, missing my family, other people and busyness. The result was not bearing any fruit only frustration, sadness, lack of motivation and self –focus. And of course there was no joy or glorifying God.

Like branches that are totally dependent upon the vine to grow and live we are totally dependent on the true vine-Jesus for our life and growth. Anyone that replaces abiding in Jesus for something else will begin a process of withering and unfruitfulness.

I am so thankful that God does not let us stay in that condition! The Holy Spirit abides in and shows us when we are not abiding in Jesus. The Father, who is the vinedresser, owns and oversees the “vineyard” to bring forth the fruit that He has planned and purposed. He does this by pruning us to be more fruitful. This is a painful and much needed process in order to produce fruit and receive from the vine what is necessary for growth. He is always faithful when we are faithless.

In the same way that the life-giving, fruit producing fluids flow from the vine to the branches, we need the truth of the Scriptures to flows through us by the Spirit. This vital connection is established and maintained only through abiding in the True Vine and the word.

Are you are lacking fruit or joy?

What or who are you abiding in?

What changes can you make to abide in the True Vine?

We are to abide in Him to bear much fruit, so that our prayers are in line with His will, we glorify the Father and show others we are His disciples.

Remember Who You Are

Do you ever struggle with your identity?

Do you ask yourself “who am I” or “do I have a purpose”?

When I struggle or doubt who I am, I go to God’s word to remind me of the truth.

In Ephesians 1:1-14 Paul is blessing God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. These blessings are our identity when we are in relationship with God.

It is not what the world, others or we tell ourselves. We have to believe what God says.

Who are we from Ephesians 1:1-14?
Chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless!
We have been predestined to be adopted in love by His will!
We have grace freely given and lavished on us!
We are redeemed!
We are forgiven!
He made know to us the mystery of His will!
We have an inheritance!
We have been predestined according to His purpose!
We are sealed with the Holy Spirit!
WHY?
Verse 4 and 12 tells us so we would be holy and blames before Him and for God’s glory and praise!

Oh friends, isn’t that encouraging! Our identity is not in who we are, who we have been, what we can do or have done. It is in what God did through Jesus!

Our purpose is to live for God, to bring Him praise and glory. He brings us into relationship with Him by His grace not our works. We are His workmanship, literally masterpiece created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared for us to walk in. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Are you letting the world identify you or God?

What can you do to apply these truths about who you are in Jesus?

If you find yourself down, doubting who you are or if you have a purpose go to Scripture and praise God for what He has done in Christ and remind yourself of who you are in Him!
As God’s beautiful masterpiece-walk in that truth!

This is living Inside Out!

No Longer Gullible

Reblogged from Inside Out:

Are we so busy preforming and providing programs all in the name of God that we have not had the time to truly study His Word? To not only study, but allow it to change us and those we minister to.

A survey showed that 80 percent of those who went to church and heard the gospel quit going within a few months because they said they saw no difference in the lives of the “Christians” and those who are not.

Read more… 937 more words

It's vital that we know God's Word for ourselves.

Alive In Jesus

We have a future and a hope because of the resurrection!

In John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I Am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

When you think of Easter and resurrection what comes to mind?

What we think and believe about the resurrection is vital in our walk with Christ because resurrection changes everything!

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and the He was buried and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Colossians 2:13 “When you were dead in your transgressions and the un-circumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions.” He continues in 3:1 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (The rest of the chapter shows us how a resurrected life will look.)

Jesus died for us who were dead in sin. God revives, restores and renews us. He made us alive to live for Him, giving us a hope and a future.

1Peter 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. “

The resurrection is an assurance of our salvation. It gives us hope now and in the future.
We have this resurrection power through the Holy Spirit to live our daily lives to give glory and praise to God.
Believing in the resurrection gives us strength, courage and comfort in our trials.

In John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I Am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

When you believe this it will determine how you live now. “What you think about your future will determine how you live in the present” (Joshua Lenon)

If you think this is all there is and it ends in death your life can be consumed with yourself and pleasures.
If you think you have no hope for the future, you will be hopeless.
If you think your past determines who you are you will live as such.
If you think you are defeated with no hope, you will live defeated and depressed.

BUT
If you know you are alive in Christ, a new creation you will live in that hope.
If you are struggling with illness, trials and problems you can have joy and peace found in Him because you have a future beyond your current situation or death.
Jesus died for us who were dead in sin.

God revives, restores and renews us. He made us alive to live for Him, giving us a hope and a future.

We have a God that came down to us: John 1:14 “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

He gave His life for us: Romans 5:8” but God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

He has made us alive: Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). And raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

We are made new: 2 Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

This is all a work of God, something we can’t do for ourselves. We were dead, He made us alive and gave us the faith to believe and live for Him.

What we think and believe about the resurrection is vital in our walk with Christ because resurrection changes everything!

We were dead, now we are alive to live for Him!

Live life to its fullest in Christ because you alive!

The Names Of God Bible Study Review

O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together! (Psalm 34:3)

The names of God reveal the character of God, His attributes and His nature. To know His names is to know Him, to take rest and comfort in Him.

We have looked at six names so far and I wanted to stop and review them this week. All of the lessons are in the archives for further study.

If you have been studying along or if this is the first time you are here I pray you are blessed with learning the names of God. Feel free to comment below so we can share with each other.

“Yahweh is God’s proper name in Hebrew. The most common and the most important name for God in the Old Testament is a name that our English versions never gets translated. Whenever you see the word LORD in all capital letters, you know that this name is behind it. In Hebrew the name had four letters—YHWH—and may have been pronounced something like Yahweh The importance of it can be seen in the sheer frequency of its use. It occurs 6,828 times in the Old Testament. What this shows is that God aims to be known not as a generic deity, but as a specific Person with a name that carries his unique character and mission”. John Piper

Review:

Elohim -He is the Creator and we have been created to have purpose and meaning in our lives to give Him glory.
Elohim is used more than 2,500 times in Scripture and we see it 35 times in the first 35 verses!

In John, Colossians 1:15-17 and Hebrews 1:1-3 we saw that Jesus, The Word was accomplishing Elohim’s creation.

We saw in Psalm 139 that God is our Creator and does not make mistakes. This truth should make a difference in how we view ourselves and those around us.

Isaiah 43:7 says, “Everyone who is called by My name and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
This leaves little doubt that we were created by a personal God with a clearly defined purpose, God’s glory.

El Elyon- God Most High who is sovereign and in total control and we can place our confidence and trust in Him.

We can accept our circumstances that He has allowed to bring about our highest good and His greatest glory.

The meaning of sovereignty could be summed up in this way: To be sovereign is to possess supreme power and authority so that one is in complete control and can accomplish whatever he pleases. (bible.org)
When we can grasp and cling to the fact that He is in control, nothing takes Him by surprise it will transform the way we think and live our lives.

We looked at the life of Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar, in the Psalms and other places where we learned about God Most High!

Hebrews 1:1-3 Jesus is the exact image of God and He upholds all things by His power.

We can be thankful that He is Sovereign and in absolute, total control and nothing can happen in our lives without His permission. We can accept our circumstances that He has allowed to bring about our highest good and His greatest glory. God has it all under control and will work it out according to how He has planned.

El Roi- the God who sees. When you are going through trials He sees and knows what you are going through.

We looked in Genesis 16 and 21 and how God revealed Himself to Hagar.

Maybe like Hagar you’re also running from a difficult situation in which you were unjustly treated or part of the problem. You can take comfort in the truth that El Roi sees your distress, your pain, misery, past and loves you. He is so watchful that He knows when a sparrow falls (Matthew 10:29-31), how much more does he watch and care for you.

El Shaddai- God Almighty-All Powerful-All Sufficient- He is mighty to save.

We first see this name when God reveals it to Abraham. In Genesis 12 when he was 75 years old God called him to leave his country for one God would show him and all families of the earth will be blessed. Abraham believed God and left.
In Genesis 15 God promised him an heir and verse 6 says he believed God and He counted it to him as righteousness.
In Genesis 16 he tried to take matters in his own hands with Hagar, a moment of unbelief and self-sufficiency.
Then we come to Genesis 17 when he is 99 years old and God reaffirms His promise.

Abraham and Sara no longer had the capacity, ability or self- sufficiency to do things in their own strength. They were essentially “dead” and God revealed to them He is All Mighty, All Powerful, and All Sufficient God!

God is the one who called Abraham and established His covenant and we who believe are the recipients when He calls us into relationship with Him!

He is mighty to save! He kept His promise of a Redeemer to bring death to life. He rids us of our self-sufficiency. The promised one Jesus gave himself for us who were dead and brought us to life!

If you have any doubts that God can’t help you get rid of them! He has a plan for you and He will accomplish it.

God is All Mighty, All Powerful, and All Sufficient!

Jehovah –jireh: The Lord will provide- He is the self-existent and keeps His covenant. He sees, foresees and knows all and is able to provide what is needed.

Finally after all the years of waiting Abraham and Sara had their promised son!

We looked at Genesis 22 when God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son. God provided a ram as a substitute to sacrifice in place of Isaac.
Abraham learned, and we must too that God is the one that provided a sacrifice, His Son, to die as our substitute, John 3:16. John 8:56 records Jesus’ words to the un-believing Jews- “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. God did not ask Abraham to do anything that He would not do in the future and had already provided for.

Romans 8: 5 & 32 tells us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us and that God did not spare His own son, but delivered Him over for us. Salvation is our greatest need that God provided for us.

He also sees, knows and provides for our daily needs. Philippians 4:19 tells us “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Adonai- Lord, Master and Owner

This name indicates a relationship. The lordship of God means that He is in total possession of me and I am to be in total submission to Him. Knowing this and understanding will transform your relationship with God. He has to be our Lord and not just Savior.

We looked at the life of Abraham for insight into this name of God. Abraham acknowledged God as his Lord and Master. God assured him by making a covenant with him that an heir would come from his own body, bringing salvation- Jesus Christ! (Galatians 3:16)

We looked at Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah and asked the following questions:
Like Moses have you ever been reluctant to do God’s will at the same time calling him Lord?
Like Isaiah and Jeremiah have you not only called Him Lord but were also willing to obey Him?

We looked in the New Testament where Jesus is Lord.

In Matthew 7:21-28 we saw how Adonai challenges everyone who calls God “Lord” to be willing live in a way that demonstrates His Lordship! When we say “He is Lord” it must be not be with just our lips but also with our life!

We have to willing submit to Him as Lord and Savior for our salvation and in every area of our lives. Are there areas of your life you holding onto and are unwilling to relinquish to Adoni?

This review was just a snapshot on what we have learned so far. Take some time and go back into the archives to learn more about the names of God. I am looking forward to learning and discussing together!

Please share your insights on the blog and also connect with me on Facebook; I would love to hear from you!