Beth's New Bible Study - "The Inheritance"

I was just on the LPM home site and saw that Beth has a brand new Bible study out!!!!
Check it out at bethmoore.org
If you haven't got a Bible study in place for your women's ministry this fall, you many want to have a look.

Week 6 - A Hope Filled Thought Closet

Post your comments, thoughts and questions here about Week 6 in the workbook. This is our last week! Boy, this has gone fast, hasn't it?

Monday Morning Devotional - He Lifts me Up

Ps 42:5 " Why are you cast down, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. "
Ps 23:3 "He restores my soul"

In his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller explains that throughout the psalms, David uses language that every shepherd would understand.
Sheep are built in such a way that if they fall over on their side and then onto their back, it's very difficult for them to get up again. They flail their legs in the air, bleat and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, and the sheep will eventually sufocate. This is referred to as a "cast down" position.
When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he reassures it, massages its legs to restore circulation, gently turns the sheep over, lifts it up, and holds it so it can regain its equilibrium.
What a picture of what God wants to do for us! When we're on our backs, flailing around because of guilt, grief or grudges, our loving Shepher reassures us with His grace. He lifts us up and holds us until we've gained our spiritual equilibrium.
Have you been cast down? No matter what the reason, God is the only one who can help you get on your feet again. He'll restore your confidence, your joy and your strength!

The Father's Love Letter

As we've looked at the value that God places on us, His temple, here's a great video to watch as a reminder:

Week 5 - God in the Centre of your Thought Closet

As you work through week 5 in the MM&L book, please post your comments, questions & any discussion thoughts here. As "Bible Study Buddies", lets be accountable to one another.

I just finished watching Session 4's video. It's a .wmv file and you can download it from Lifeway for $4.99. I would highly reccommend watching this one if you can. My preference would be to have you all over to my place so we could all watch it together from my computer screen, but here's the link to the Lifeway page: click here

I was intrigued when I had a look at the listening guide fill in the blanks, so that's why I decided to purchase the video file. I'm really glad I did! She bases her message on the story of Namaan & his leprosy, and Jennifer has some really right-on things to say about sin in our thought closets. And also gives some good questions to ask our accountability partners.

Siesta Bible Study Gathering # 3

If you havent had a chance to see Beth's video on the LPM Blog, here it is:

Siesta Summer Bible Study (Weeks 3 and 4) -Part 2 from LPV on Vimeo.

Okay, here are the four questions for us to discuss together. I hope that over the past 4 weeks, we've had a chance to get to know one another a bit and develop some trust with one another. Some of these questions are tough, and demand true honesty! Here are Beth's questions:

1. Look at the top of p.57 and note the track Jennifer gave us from emotions to thoughts to actions. Discuss its relevance and any recent examples. At the bottom of that same page, she refers to “THINKING WITH OUR FEELINGS.” Discuss this familiar female propensity as well.

2. Turn to p.65 where we studied the woman with the issue of blood. In the first full paragraph, Jennifer writes, “We often face one defining circumstance that becomes the headwater from which other issues flow.” Would some of you be willing to share what your “one defining circumstance” is and how it tends to affect a number of different areas?

OK, this is not a discussion question but I want to mention it because it was one of my very favorite things and I’ve thought about it a ton since I read it. Take a glance at p.73 where Jennifer shares the story about being stuck on a plane and the little girl near her saying to her daddy, “I spy something good.” Did that speak to you, too?

Now, from Week Four:

3. Based on p.81. where Jennifer discusses what we say to ourselves when we talk to ourselves about sin: What has been your most recurrent conviction lately and what are you doing about it? (If you’re not presently doing anything about it, admitting it to your group is a start!)

Discuss how she ties up the point on p.87 with these words: “Never let the Enemy be more aware of your weaknesses than you are.”

4. Review p.88. Do you have a framework set up in your life for consistent accountability? Do you have at least one person in your life who holds you accountable in your pursuit of God and godliness and doesn’t just help you stay comfortable in your strongholds? Look at Jennifer’s statement: “The Enemy goes after the solitary and the silent.”

Discuss the fears involved in opening up to accountability and the solutions to those fears. What holds us back? Is it time? Exposure? Fear of confidence being betrayed? Talk about fears, solutions, and the importance of taking the chance.

I (Judi) have one more question to add and would love to hear all your answers on:
5. From p. 73, what was your answer to the first question on the page: "How have you benefited from the Holy Spirit's teaching?"

Let's have some great interaction that will make us feel like we're sitting in someone's living room having coffee (decaf)!!

How God Builds our Faith: A Dream

Today's devotional is from "Purpose Driven Connection"

“Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Ephesians 3:20 LB).

Faith is like a muscle: it can be strengthened. It can be weak or it can be strong, depending on how much you use it.

How does God build your faith? He uses a very predictable pattern and, if you understand it, you can cooperate with Him in developing greater faith. It’s like when the father, seeking help from Jesus for his son, said, “Have pity on us and help us, if you possibly can!” (Mark 9:22 TEV)

Jesus replied, “What do you mean, ‘If I can?’ . . . Anything is possible if a person believes” (Mark 9:23 NLT).

The first thing God does to build your faith is give you a dream. When God wants to work in your life, He’ll always gives you a dream—about yourself, about what He wants you to do, about how He’s going to use your life to impact the world.

There are many examples in the Bible of this.

• God gave Noah the dream of building an ark.
• God gave Abraham the dream of being the father of a great nation.
• God gave Joseph the dream of being a leader that would save his people.
• God gave Nehemiah the dream of building the wall around Jerusalem.

How do you know when a dream is from God or when it’s just something you’ve thought up yourself? The Bible tells us that God, “by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes” (Ephesians 3:20 LB).

In other words, if a dream comes from God, it will be so big in your life that you can’t do it on your own. If you could do it on your own, you wouldn’t need faith. And if you don’t have faith you’re not pleasing God, because the Bible says whatever is not of faith is sin (Roman 14:23).

God starts to build your faith by giving you a dream. He may be speaking to you now, but you just don’t recognize it for what it is. That dream you have—the idea, the concept, that thing you’ve been thinking about doing that would be of real benefit to other people—where do you think that idea came from?

God will never tell you to do something that contradicts His truth. In other words, He won’t give you a dream of leaving your family and kids and moving to Hollywood to be a movie star. If you’ve got that dream, then you can know it is not from God.

God starts with a dream as He works within your life to build faith.

You can view this devotional and more at www.purposedriven.com

July 15th Scripture Memory Workout Verse

Time for our next verse in the Scripture Memory Workout!
For you girls doing the MM&L Bible Study, how many of you are going to memorize Phil. 4:8 (I am - it's something I need to be reminded of) , or one of the other verses that have come up in the study?
I was struck by something Beth said in her post on the LPM Blog today:
"Scripture memory alone will just make you arrogant. Lapping up those Scriptures like they are the only spring in your desert will make you different"
Let's be sure we don't just memorize, but DO the thang as well!!!

Week 4 - Guarding the Door of Your Thought Closet

For those of you who are on week 4, please post any thoughts, notes, comments, questions or insights here!

Here's a message from Jennifer!

GPS - God's Practical Steps

I have a GPS. When they hit the affordable market I decided I wanted one. Not for guidance, as I had no idea what it was capable of, but for fun. Those who know me know that I love my tech “toys”. It was new and technological so I wanted one. A friend received a GPS from her husband for Christmas and showed me – explaining what it could do. NOW I really wanted one. Before it was for fun, but now it seemed a necessity as I am often on the road for my job. My friends must have thought it a necessity for me as well because they gave me one amidst my squeal of delight in Tim Horton’s!

For those who are not so technically inclined GPS is the acronym for Global Positioning System. It is pre-loaded with maps of North America (and other places if you want) and also has a directory of almost every conceivable store, hospital, gas station, ATM location and, definitely not least, all Tim Horton’s! No matter where you are at, if you need an ATM, gas station, car service etc, you just input that into your GPS and, voila, you have immediate directions from where you are at. When you are travelling you set your destination and it calculates the directions. When you miss your turn, which is very hard to do with the little voice repeatedly reminding you to turn, it recalculates the directions and gets you back on course.

Well, you have to guess that I “played” with it. The very first night, driving home I decided to use it. I kept making turns against what it was telling me to do and hearing “recalculating”. When I got close to home it told me to turn down a road I really did not think would get me to my route. I was so surprised to find a new way home! Wow, was I impressed. It also found a faster way home from the local grocery store I have been using for over 3 years!

Shortly after I received my GPS, I was going to Buffalo airport for a 6:30 a.m. flight so I programmed in the address and set out. Now, I have been to this airport before, but another neat detail about the GPS is that it gives you a very accurate, updated time of arrival and this is what I wanted. When I headed out at 3:30 a.m. I knew where I was going...until I could not get on the highway – the road was blocked for repair work. No fear, the GPS was soon heard to say “recalculating”. I followed the directions and was soon back on the route and heading to the border. However, the GPS had me going a way I had not gone before. So I proceeded to go my usual way ignoring the GPS directions. I crossed the border and heard MANY “recalculating”. There is another feature to this GPS and that is the “mute” button. I used it. I saw the little airplane logo and “airport” sign so proceeded to follow it. Did you know there is an airport in Niagara Falls? Well I did not. In my insistence that I was right and ignoring the GPS “recalculating” directions, this is just where I ended up! Here I sat 4:30 in the morning, no one around, dark and absolutely no idea where I was. I looked at the GPS and actually spoke out loud to it “okay, you win, take me to Buffalo airport. I will take every direction you give without question!” I rested in its directions and, within 25 minutes, it had me at my destination in lots of time. Amazing little gadget!

When I was removing it from its home on my car window and placing it in my purse, I had what seemed to be a nudge from the Lord. I thought about His Word that provides flawless direction for my life. It even “recalculates” when I decide not to listen to it (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28). Just like the GPS, He gives me direction (Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21). I was convicted by the thought that if I only listened and followed the Lord as unfalteringly as I have this little man-made tool I could have avoided many wrong-turns. I wondered if I had “muted” the Lord’s directions at times when I was so very sure I knew the way. And, just as the GPS helped me discover better routes amongst the familiar, I am thinking that, by following the Word even when I am doing something so familiar, it can make my life more simple. One of the definitions of simple is “one thing”. By following the greatest commandment (one thing) from God, to love Him with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength, my life will then be well on the road to fulfilling the purpose for which He created me – His Glory!. (“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.” Isaiah 43:7, 10)

Oh yes, there is one more fantastic feature on this GPS tool – “Go Home”. No matter where you are at, you press FAVORITES and right at the top it says “Go Home”. When you press this the GPS instantly calculates the way home – from anywhere. How often have I made a mess of my life and try to clean it up before I go to God in prayer? I need to remember the GPS feature and simply “Go Home” – no matter where I am at, to just ask God to get me home! He will.

Finally, I have been convicted, just like I actually took my GPS on the plane to Florida, to take His Word everywhere with me; to work, when shopping, and any other “everyday” activities. So, I have another GPS – God’s Practical Steps, to follow that provides life direction.

May our lives simply glorify our Lord and King.

June

Week Three: A Wise Thought Closet

Please share here what you're learning about wisdom and truth this week, as you work through the homework of Week 3.

Siesta Bible Study - 2nd Session

So now that we've had 2 weeks to do homework since Beth had us figuring out our dog personalities, have you been able to get the first 2 weeks of homework done?

Have a look at Beth's video for this session, and then let's have some discussion!

Siesta Summer Bible Study (Weeks 1 and 2) from LPV on Vimeo.

If at all possible, please watch the video for your instructions for this week’s gathering but, just in case you can’t get it to work or can’t spare the time, here are the activities in writing:

1. (I think we've all had a chance to share this one during the past 2 wks) By now you’ve been well introduced to the concept of the study. We’re cleaning out our thought closets. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you individually need this particular subject matter and why?

2. Look on p.13 at the quote in the margin: “Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing.” In what way did that statement resonate with you? What struggle do you most tend to define yourself by?

3. Look on p.23, Day 4 of Week 1 at the interactive where Jennifer says, “In your own words, describe worry.” What was your answer?

4. Go to p.44 in Week 2 and focus on the part of the study where Jennifer talks about “faulty assumptions.” I thought this part was incredibly insightful. What is one of your faulty assumptions?

HOW IS YOUR RACE GOING?

If you are an athlete, you know that excellence in a sport depends on your efforts and your willingness to train and work at it. It takes discipline in training your body properly to achieve optimal results. Spiritual growth is like that too. What is your spiritual training program?

Do you “run like a man running aimlessly”, or “fight like a man beating the air”, says Paul to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 9:26. I underlined the word aimlessly above because success, motivation, perseverance all come alive because of an aim, a goal, a purpose. In verse 24 the apostle Paul “runs in such a way as to get the prize.” In verse 25 Paul says the world does it “to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

Our race as Christians should never be aimless!

Recently I was having a mundane week because I had a sore foot and could not walk anywhere, and so I called out to God in prayer, “Light a fire underneath me Lord! Keep me moving, keep me working for you. Help me never to cease seeking your will and guidance in my life!” Even when we cannot move, we can be working for the Lord in prayer, or on the phone or computer, or reading, and oh yes, memorizing scripture!” There are so many ways we can be training spiritually.

1 Corinthians 9:27 “I discipline my body like an athlete training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (NLT)

God has created each one of us with special gifts and talents to use for His glory. “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. (NIV) Ephesians 2:10. How are you using your unique gifts in your race? Isn’t it wonderful to know God planned our race. He gave us the talent and helps us with the training. Galations 5:7 says “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (NIV) Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from running the race that ends in God’s loving arms.

How is your race going?

Sincerely,
Tammy

July 1st Scripture Memory Workout Verse

If you are doing the Scripture memory challenge, please post your verse here.
Even if you usually put your verse on the LPM Blog every 2 wks, please put it here too, to encourage the women in our group, and also maybe even to give others an idea of what to memorize!!

Week 2 - Filling Your Thought Closet with Truth - Comments and Discussion

For those of you who have books and are into week 2, please share your insights, comments and questions here. The rest of us will join you very shortly.........today is a National Holiday in Canada, called Canada Day, celebrating the birth of our country.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!