Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Quote


In the busyness of life,
God calls us to still waters,
to quiet resting places,
to the simplicity of faith,
and to the all-embracing
comfort of His love.
- Roy Lessin

Monday, March 28, 2011

Lesson 6: A Heart That Follows


Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. – Genesis 2:18

As we continue our study and strive to be the wife we are meant to be, we discover there is more to our role of wife and there are other qualities we need in order to be the kind of wife God wants us to be. Our next assignment is to follow our husband’s leadership.

Submission – primarily a military term meaning to rank oneself under someone else.

This heart attitude is lived out by leaving things to the judgment of another person and yielding or deferring to the opinion or authority of someone else.

This concept may be new to you and you may find yourself hesitating. Keep studying your Bible and the Bible will help you to cull out that heart attitude that God desires in you.

“Be Submissive One to Another”

First – Christian lifestyle is one of submission. We are called to be “submitting to one another”.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. – Ephesians 5:21

God’s desire for us – whether we are married or single, young or old, male or female – is to honor, serve, and subject ourselves to one another.

We, as Christians, are to…

That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. – 1 Corinthians 16:16

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. – Ephesians 5:21

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. – Hebrews 13:17

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: - 1 Peter 2:13-15

Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. – 1 Peter 2:18

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. – 1 Peter 5:5

We will begin to reflect Christ’s character as we move away from selfishness and, acting out of honor for other people, defer to them.

A heart willing to follow and submit, dedicated to honoring and yielding to others, is to be the heart of God’s people, His church, and His women.

When it comes to marriage, God arranged for the sake of order that the husband lead and the wife follow.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. – 1 Corinthians 11:3

God, the perfect Artist, designed marriage to be beautiful, natural, and functional by giving it a single head, the husband.

This doesn’t mean, that wives are not able to offer wise input, discuss, or ask questions for clarification. But the husband’s leadership does mean that he is responsible for the final decision. The husband is accountable to God for his leadership decisions, and we are accountable to God for how we follow that leadership.

THE PRIVILEGE OF CHOICE

We are responsible for whether or not we submit.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. – Ephesians 5:22

No one can do this for us and no one can make us submit, we must choose to defer to our husband and follow his leadership.

Are you giving the gift of headship to your husband? Are you experiencing the rightness that comes from a decision to follow God’s plan for marriage? Are you using your privilege of choice to follow God…and your husband?

An Important Distinction

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. – Ephesians 5:22

“Who” is clear – wives

We are to submit to our own husbands, not to other people we admire and respect. This is a very important distinction.

What if your husband isn’t a Christian....

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; - 1 Peter 3:1

The exception to following your husband’s advice is if he asks you to violate the teachings from God’s Word.

Looking Up Helps

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. – Ephesians 5:22

“How” – Do it heartily.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; - Colossian 3:23

Look to God.

Something to Think About

What is the scope of our submission to our husbands?

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. – Ephesians 5:24

So when “Yes, but…” or “But what if…” comes to mind, remember this scripture “…in everything.”

Start with the small things to start submitting “in everything” and then build from there.

A Life of Faith

Why is it that we hesitate to submit to our husband’s leadership? … fear

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. – 1 Peter 3:5-6

Faith is the opposite of fear.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? – Mark 4:40

It is by faith that we believe God works in our lives directly through our husbands. It is by faith in our sovereign God that we trust that God knows our husbands’ decisions and the end results of those decision, and trusting that God redeems, if not guides, those decisions.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. – Luke 17:5

As the apostles did, ask God… for the strength to submit.

The Root…The Motive for Submission

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. – Titus 2:4-5

Our respect and deference to our husbands testifies to all who are watching that God’s Word and His ways are right. That makes God’s call to nurture hearts that follow our husbands a high calling indeed.

YES, BUT HOW?

1. Dedicate your heart to honoring your husband.
     Change requires a decision.

2. Remember to respect.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. – Ephesians 5:33

Ask yourself this simple question: “Am I treating my husband as I would treat Christ?”

3. Respond to your husband’s words and actions positively.

     a. Phase One: Say nothing!
     b. Phase Two: Respond with a single positive word. “Sure”

4. Ask of each word, act, and attitude, “Am I bending or bucking?”

WORKBOOK

Define the following words:

o Respect – an act of giving particular attention; high or special regard

o Notice – polite or favorable attention

o Regard – attention, consideration; a protective interest

o Honor – a showing of usually merited respect; one whose worth brings respect or fame;

o Prefer – to give priority; to promote or advance to a rank or position

o Venerate – to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference; to honor with a ritual act of devotion.

o Esteem – the regard in which one is held; worth, value, opinion, judgment

o Defer – a deliberate putting off

o Praise – to express a favorable judgment of; to glorify; to express praise;

o Love – affection based on admiration; the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration

o Admire – to regard with admiration; to marvel at; to like very much

o Exceedingly – to an extreme degree


In your prayer journal – make a commitment to submit to your husband. Look at it often!

Focus on your husband – What do you plan to do? What specific actions do you plan to take, to submit to your husband?

Write in your journal of an instance where you were aware that you actively chose to submit to your husband this week. Then thank God for that opportunity and His grace to make that choice.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Lesson 5 - A Heart That Serves

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. – Genesis 2:18

The author tells us of how she and her husband struggled in the early years of their marriage due to not having God in their marriage. She goes on to tell how they became a Christian family and turned their lives over to the Lord.

She tells us how she had a lot to learn about being a woman, a wife, a mother who pleased God, and soon started reading through the Bible. She began reading her Bible by following one of those calendars that guides you through the Bible in a year and one of the suggestions in this guide was to mark the passages that spoke to her as a woman with a pink highlighter.

She goes on to tell how one of the first readings she came across Genesis 2:18, which describes a woman’s first aspect of our job assignment as a Christian wife – to serve our husbands by helping them.

CALLED TO SERVE

A woman after God’s own heart is a woman who carefully cultivates a servant spirit, whether she is married or not. She desires to follow in the steps of Jesus, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28)

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28

This type of following calls for a lifelong attention to the heart attitude of serving.

If you are married, this attitude and service begins at home with your family…more specifically, with your husband.

The first step on our journey to becoming God’s kind of wife is to understand that We are on assignment from God to help our husbands.

What is a “helper”? A helper is one who shares man’s responsibilities, responds to his nature with understanding and love, and wholeheartedly cooperates with him in working out the plan of God.

Consider becoming a team with your husband. By thinking of our relationship as a team, we eliminate the competition between us and our spouses.

A wife should be solidly behind and supportive of her husband.

A servant spirit helps me be more like Christ as I esteem others – especially my husband – as better than myself and commit myself to service.

This mind-set, this servant spirit, helps us to be more like Christ and commit myself to service.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. – Philippians 2:3

YES, BUT HOW?

1. Make a commitment to help your husband.

In your prayer journal, write your own prayer of commitment to God.

Let your words reflect your decision to help your husband, to be a team with him, and to make helping him the priority focus of your every day.

2. Focus on your husband.

God wants us to focus our energy and efforts on our husbands. Focus on his tasks, his goals, his responsibilities. This can be an area of struggle because our sin nature cries out “me first”.

Start by asking your husband “What can I do for you today?” or “What can I do to help you make better use of your time today?”

Even if there is no husband in your life, you can nurture a heart of Christ like service as you focus on helping and serving other people.

3. Ask of your actions, Will this help or hinder my husband?

Helping…it’s a simple and noble assignment – and it reaps rich rewards.

We benefit as well as we learn to serve as Christ did.

Being a servant is a sign of Christian maturity. It is the true mark of Christ.

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: - Philippians 2:7

Who served to the point of death…

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28

As you and I promote the well being of our husbands – and of the multitude of other people God has placed in our lives – our service glorifies God.

WORKBOOK

What meant the most to you from this chapter or offered you the greatest challenge?

Genesis 2:18-25:

     o The words of this verse emphasize man’s need for a companion, a helper, and an equal. He was incomplete without someone to complement him in fulfilling the task of filling, multiplying, and taking dominion over the earth. This points to Adam’s inadequacy, not Eve’s insufficiency. Woman was made by God to meet man’s deficiency.
     o Recall the definition of a helper.
     o Jot down some of the ways the world’s view of a woman’s role in marriage differs from God’s view.

Write out Matthew 20:28.
     o What is the one word that best describes the heart of this verse?
     o How does Jesus say this can be accomplished in verses 26 and 27?

In your prayer journal – make a commitment to help your husband. Look at it often!

Focus on your husband – What do you plan to do? What specific actions do you plan to take, to focus on your dear husband?

Ask of your actions, Will this help or hinder my husband?
     o Eve (Genesis 3:1-6,17) – Did Eve help or hinder her husband? Why…and how?
     o Sarah (Genesis 16:1-4) – Did Sarah help or hinder her husband? Why…and how?
     o Can you pinpoint any situation in your marriage where your actions or attitudes may be hindering your husband?
     o What do you plan to do about this action or attitude?

Read Acts 18:24-26. How did Priscilla help her husband?

As you think of your service to your husband, why not use these questions as a checklist?
     o Do you see yourself as a team player, free of competitive action, thoughts, or desires?
     o Is your husband your primary career?
     o Is helping your husband your heart’s primary concern and the main focus of your energy?
     o Have you committed your life and your heart to following God’s plan for you, His plan that you help and not hinder your husband?

How can you nurture a heart that serves those in your family, home, school, dorm, workplace, neighborhood, and church?


Verses to Memorize:
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. – Philippians 2:3

In your journal, write 100 words or less about one instance when you were aware that you actively chose to help your husband this week. Then thank God for that opportunity and His grace to make that choice.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Lesson 4 - WORKBOOK

WORKBOOK
  • Define the word obedient.
  • What specific instructions and promise did Samuel give to Saul in 1 Samuel 10:8?
  • Seven days later, what happened (see 1 Samuel 13:8-9)?
  • When Samuel finally arrived and asked Saul, “What have you done?” how did Saul answer in verses 11-12?
  • What was Samuel’s assessment of Saul’s disobedience, and what was the result (verses 13-14)?
  • Look at 1 Samuel 15:1-9. What were Samuel’s direct instructions to Saul (verse 3)?
  • What did Saul do (1 Samuel 15:7-9)?
  • Read verses 12-15. How did Saul answer in verse 15? (How many excuses did he give and how many different people did he blame this time?)
  • What was Samuel’s assessment of Saul’s disobedience, and what was the result (verses 21-23)?
Write out a personal prayer of commitment to make yours a walk in obedience. You may want to use your prayer journal for this task.

The most difficult part of obeying God’s laws is simply deciding to start now.

Guidelines from our “Yes, But How?” section can help us to walk in obedience:
  • Concentrate on doing what is right – What warning does James 4:17 give?
  • Cease doing what is wrong – What is the instruction of Proverbs 16:17?
  • Confess any wrong – What does 1 John 1:8-9 teach us?
  • Clear up things with others – What does Matthew 5:23-24 exhort?
  • Continue on as soon as possible – What principles do Philippians 3:13-14 give us?
Read 1 Peter 2:1. List heart attitudes and behaviors that hinder growing a heart of obedience.
  • Which, if any, are hindering the growth of your heart?
  • Read Ephesians 4:25-32 and Colossians 3:5-9 and then add to your list those actions and attitudes that need pruning.
  • What do you need to prune from your heart?
Now let’s focus on the positive and consider cultivating what is necessary for growth.
  • Read 1 Peter 2:2
  • Ephesians 4:15-32
  • Colossians 3:1-17
  • List those heart attitudes and behaviors that enrich your life as a Christian.
  • What 1-2 areas would you like to cultivate?
Verses to Memorize:
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. – 1 Sam. 15:22

If ye love me, keep my commandments. – John 14:15

Lesson 4 - A Heart That Obeys

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.. – Acts 13:22

The heart God delights in is compliant, cooperative, and responsive to Him and His commands.

Just as any recipe calls for several ingredients to become what we intend it to be, several ingredients are key to us becoming women after God’s own heart.

We’ve already talked about devotion to God, devotion to His Word, and devotion to prayer.

But one more ingredient – goes into making you and me women after God’s own heart, and that is obedience. The heart God delights in is a heart that is compliant, cooperative, and responsive to Him and His commands – a heart that obeys.

TWO KINDS OF HEARTS

Our study,”A Woman After God’s Own Heart” is taken from God’s description of King David. In Acts 13:22, these words were spoken in startling contrast to the character of the reigning king of Israel, Saul.

Let’s review some background information on this situation:
  • Speaking on behalf of God, the prophet Samuel rebuked Saul for failing to obey God’s specific instructions (1 Samuel 13).
  • Again, and again, Saul overstepped his bounds (set by God)
  • Saul failed to offer God the ultimate sacrifice – obedience from a heart wholly devoted to Him (1 Samuel 15:22).
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. – 1 Sam. 15:22

 After one extremely serious act of disobedience Samuel delivered a twofold message from God:
  • Your kingdom shall not continue
  • The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)
We witness two very different kinds of hearts here:

 The heart of David
  • David was willing to obey.
  • David served God.
  • David was concerned with following God’s will.
  • David’s heart was centered on God.
  • Even though David didn’t always obey God, he had what mattered over the long haul – a heart after God.
  • David was humbly dependent upon God, trusting in Him and repeatedly acknowledging. (Psalm 27:1)
 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

 The heart of Saul
  • Saul was satisfied with merely external acts of sacrifice.
  • Saul served himself and did things his way.
  • Saul cared solely for his own will.
  • Saul was centered on Saul.
  • Saul’s devotion to God was impulsive and sporadic.
  • Saul was proud. He relied on his own skill, his own wisdom and judgment, and his arm of flesh.
God gave both of these kings opportunities to lead Israel, but in the end they walked down different paths.

Yes, But How?

How can we follow after David in our devotion to God?

What can we do so that God can grow in us hearts committed to obedience?

God tells us to
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:23

As we walk this path of life, God says we are to ponder the path of our feet (verse 26) and look straight ahead, not side to side (verse 25). Instead of looking about from side to side we are to follow ways that are established by God (verse26).

The key to living a life of obedience is the heart.

 Concentrate on doing what is right!
  • Don’t do anything until you know what is right.
  • Ask God for guidance.
  • Take time to pray, to think, to search the Scriptures, and to ask advice from someone more seasoned in Christ.
  • If someone asks you something that you are unsure of, simply reply “I’m going to have to give this some thought and prayer. I’ll let you know later.”
  • Do nothing until you know what the right thing is.
  • In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:6
  • If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. – James 1:5
  • Act on truth.
  • Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. – James 4:17
 Cease doing what is wrong
  • Stop doing anything contrary to God’s heart.
  • Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8
  • If you find you are already on that sin path…Stop and get out!
  • Call on the Lord! He will give you strength…whatever the temptation, whatever the dangerous path.
  • Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. – Hebrews 2:18
 Confess any wrong
  • You and I are forgiven because Christ covered our sins by His blood through His death.
  • Acknowledge your sins in your heart.
  • If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
  • Be sure to forsake sin as well. Forsake = renounce or turn away from.
  • He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
 Clear up things with others
  • Confession makes things right with God, but if we’ve hurt another person, we need to clear things up with that person too.
  • Admit your wrongful behavior to the person involved.
 Continue on as soon as possible
  • Our enemy Satan delights when our failure to obey God keeps us from serving Him.
  • We can wallow in where we have failed God.
  • God encourages us to move forward after we have confessed and cleared up our wrongful acts.
  • Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14
  • We are to remember the lessons learned, but we are also to train our hearts to obey by obeying this command from God to go on.
Obedience is a foundational stepping-stone on the path of God’s will – the path you’ll be following as a woman after His heart.

Can you pinpoint any behavior in your life that calls for a heart response of confession and a change of location onto the path of obedience?

Acknowledge that area of disobedience, confess that sin, choose to forsake that behavior, and then step right back onto God’s path of beauty, peace, and joy.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: - 1 Peter 5:6

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Legacy Five - Just Stand


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8OG3BQuOJk

Quote

Day after day there were decisions that had to be made...

The help I have found is in turning to God and asking His help in prayer.  I believe very much in the power of prayer and feel if you sincerely ask for His help, it is forthcoming...

My faith is unshakable...

I thank you for a peace beyond description.

- Ronald Reagan

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Quote

In the busyness of life,
God calls us to still waters,
to quiet resting places,
to the simplicity of faith,
and to the all-embracing
comfort of His love.
- Roy Lessin

Monday, March 7, 2011

Lesson 3 - Part 2

WORKBOOK

1. What meant the most to you from this chapter or offered you the greatest challenge or inspired you deeply?



And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. – Mark 1:35

2. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of a person of prayer. What can you learn about Jesus Christ’s prayer life?





21. And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23. ¶ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24. Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29. ¶ And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32. And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33. And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

3. Now describe in a few words what preceded this quiet moment in verses 21-34.

4. How can you follow His example today?

5. (Blessing #1 – A Deeper Relationship with God) Prayer increases faith, provides a place to unload burdens, teaches us that God is always near, trains us not to panic, and changes lives. Which one of these benefits would be the greatest reason for developing a heart committed to prayer at this stage of your life? Why?

6. (Blessing #2 – Greater Purity) Identify your particular problem area and share briefly what you plan to do about it.

7. (Blessing #3 – Confidence in Making Decisions) Look back at Mark 1:35. What was the result of His time in prayer in the area of decision-making (verses 36-39)? What difference might prayer make in the direction for your new days?

8. (Blessing #4 – Improved Relationships) What relationship do you need to improve through prayer, and how can you begin immediately to commit to pray about that relationship?

9. (Blessing #5 – Contentment) Identify an area in your life where you struggle with finding contentment. Look at Philippians 4:10-13.

10. ¶ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

What can you learn about contentment from these words from the apostle Paul? How can you apply Paul’s lessons to your own situation?



10. (Blessing #6 – God-Confidence) How do these scriptures increase your trust in God?

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. – Psalm 34:9

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. – Psalm 84:11

11. (Blessing #7 – The Ministry of Prayer) Who are the people you can minister to through prayer, and when do you plan to begin this “ministry”?


Verses to Memorize:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. – Mark 1:35

Lesson 3 - A Heart Committed to Prayer

A Heart Committed to Prayer
A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2

Let’s take our journal that we began last week and take the next step in developing a heart devoted to God. Our first entry was describing the woman we want to be spiritually in one year. Then in five years, and finally in ten years.

Now let’s take the next step…

Let us dedicate and purpose to spend the next year developing a meaningful prayer life. Write this goal on the top of the next page in your journal.

Consider that favorite hymn, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Blessings of prayer that each one of us can cultivate a heart of prayer:

#1 A deeper relationship with God

 Prayer increases faith
     o Keep a prayer list. Write out your prayer list in your journal and begin taking your concerns to God each day. Watch your prayer list and see how He answers each one.

 Prayer provides a place to unload burdens
     o John 16:33 – Problems and sorrows are facts of life

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

     o 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your cares and burdens on God

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 Prayer teaches us that God is always near
     o Psalm 46:1 – Cultivating a heart of prayer is a sure way to experience God’s presence.

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 Prayer trains us not to panic
     o Luke 18:1 – Turning to God for every need will replace our panic nature with God’s strength.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

 Prayer changes lives
     o Prayer changes things but most of all it changes us!

#2 Greater Purity

 The one major change in our lives as a result of prayer is purity.
 Becoming pure is a process of spiritual growth, and taking seriously the confession of sin during prayer time moves that process along, causing us to purge our life of practices that displease God.
 Gossip as a struggle
     o 1 Timothy 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

     o Titus 2:3

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

     o Is it true? Is it kind? Is it helpful?
     o Confess it to God.
     o Matthew 5:29-30

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

     o 1 John 3:3

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

     o Sin leads to confession, which will lead to purging.

#3 Confidence in Making Decisions

 Make no decision without prayer.
 Galatians 1:10

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

 Do God’s will – not your own. Acts 13:22

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

 Make no decision without prayer.

#4 Improved Relationships

 You cannot think about yourself and others at the same time.
 You cannot hate the person you are praying for. Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 You cannot neglect the person you are praying for.

#5 Contentment

 If God doesn’t meet it, you didn’t need it!
 Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

#6 God-Confidence

 One of the highest reported problems reported by women is low self-esteem.
 God-confidence comes as the Holy Spirit works in us.
 As we pray and when we make choices that honor God, the Holy Spirit fills us with His power for ministry.
 When we are filled with God’s goodness, we are confidently and effectively able to share His love and joy.
 As we practice the principle of make no decision without prayer, we experience a divine assurance with every step we take.
 Psalm 100:2

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 Psalm 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

#7 The Ministry of Prayer

 The power of prayer can change your life and can change others lives also.
 Prayer is a ministry.
 Use your journal as a prayer ministry.
 Psalm 34:8

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Yes, But How?

 Start a prayer log to record requests and responses as you travel your own personal journey of prayer.
 Set aside some time each day to linger with the Lord in prayer and remember that something is better than nothing. Begin small – and watch for the mighty effects!
 Pray always (Ephesians 6:18) and in all places, enjoying God’s presence with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6:18

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. – Joshua 1:9

 Pray faithfully for others – including your enemies (Matthew 5:44)

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

 Take seriously the powerful privilege of the ministry of prayer.


Do you think praying – even for just five minutes a day – could change your life?

Lingering in God’s presence through prayer will increase your faith in Him, provide a place for you to unload your burdens, remind you that God is always near, and help you not to panic.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Lesson 2 - Part 2

Yes, But How?

How does a woman draw near to God’s heart?

What can we do to put ourselves in a position where God can grow each of us into a woman of remarkable endurance?

1. Develop the habit of drawing near to God

Only through routine, regular exposure to God’s Word can we draw out the nutrition needed to grow hearts of faith.

It’s not easy, I know, I seem to always start off with good intentions and then start to get bogged down with life’s activities. That is why it is so important to aim for habitual, scheduled time with God whether I feel like it or not, whether it seems like the best use of my time or not. I must draw near to God.

2. Design a personal time for drawing near to God

As women we’re used to designing, planning, and scheduling the events of life. When it comes to planning our quiet time it should be no different. Consider what kind of quiet time is ideal for you.

When? – Something is better than nothing.
Where? – It doesn’t matter where you meet the Lord as long as you do it.
What aids? – good reading light, highlighters, pens, pencils, markers, sticky notes, notepad, etc.

3. Dream of being a woman after God’s heart!

Motivation is key when it comes to nurturing a heart of devotion, and dreaming helps motivate us.

Start a journal and make your first entry a description of the woman you want to be spiritually in one year.

God will take you as far as you want to go, as fast as you want to go.

Next, describe the woman you want to be spiritually in five years.

Do you believe you can be this woman? With God’s grace and in His strength you can!

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:23

You determine some elements of the heart. You decide what you will or will not do, whether you will or will not grow. You also decide the rate at which you will grow.

Heart Response

Truly the treasure of God’s Word are fathomless.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! - Romans 11:33

His Word stands as His counsel forever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.

The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. – Psalm 33:11

By it we were born again

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. – 1 Peter 1:23

By it we grow

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: - 1 Peter 2:2

By it we walk through life as it lights the path for our feet.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. – Psalm 119:105

Surely drawing near to God’s Word should be of utmost importance to us each day. What joy we discover when we grow to love it more than food for our bodies.

Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. – Job 23:12

Won’t you purpose in your heart to spend more time near to God’s heart by spending more time in His Word?

Lesson 2 - A Heart Abiding in God's Word

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. – Jeremiah 17:8

Verse 7 speaks of having trust in the Lord and verse 8 tells us that our trust in the Lord brings peace and spiritual security.

The Bible speaks of “a time to plant”…

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; - Ecclesiastes 3:2

We need to recognize that every change concerning us, with the time and season of it, is unalterably fixed and determined by a supreme power; and we must take things as they come, for it is not in our power to change what is appointed for us.

There is a time to be born and a time to die.

These are determined by the divine counsel; and, as we were born, so we must die, at the time appointed, Acts 17:26.

Some observe that here is a time to be born and a time to die, but no time to live; that is so short that it is not worth mentioning; as soon as we are born we begin to die.

But, as there is a time to be born and a time to die, so there will be a time to rise again, a set time when those that lie in the grave shall be remembered. - Job 14:13.

O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! – Job 14:13

There is a time for men to plant, a time of the year, a time of their lives; but, when that which was planted has grown fruitless and useless, it is time to pluck it up.

We must nurture a root system! The health of anything – whether a garden plant or a heart devoted to God – reflects what is going on (or not going on!) underground.

Drawing Life from God’s Word

If God is going to be first in our hearts and the “Ultimate Priority” of our lives, we must develop a root system anchored deep in Him.

Draw from Him all that we need to live the abundant life He has promised His children.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
– John 10:10

We must seek to live our lives near God….let us now consider some facts about roots.

Roots are unseen

Spiritual roots are underground, invisible to others. (Your private life, your hidden life, the secret life you enjoy with God out of the public eye.)

We want what other people see of our lives to stir up awe and wonder. We want our strength in public to be explained by what goes on in private between us and God.

Have you ever noticed that we seem to always be with people?
          - at work
          - on campus
          - in Bible studies
          - in the grocery store
          - at the mall
          - people with live with
          - other fellowship groups.

The impact of your ministry to people will be in direct proportion to the time you spend with God.

The greater the proportion of your day you spend hidden in quiet, reflection, in prayer, in study, in scheduling, in preparation, the greater will be the effectiveness, the impact, the power, of the part of your life that shows.

The impact of your ministry to people will be in direct proportion to the time you spend away from people and with God.

We must say “NO” not only to things which are wrong and sinful, but to things pleasant, profitable, and good which would hinder and clog our grand duties and our chief work.

What are some of those “pleasant, profitable, and good things” for you?

Our effectiveness for the Lord also requires solitude. “Talent develops itself in solitude; the talent of prayer, of faith, of meditation, of seeing the unseen.” So that our roots grow deep into Him, God calls us away from this world.

Root are for taking in

What happens when you and I do slip away to be with God in study and prayer?
          - We receive.
          - We take in.
          - We are nurtured and fed.
          - We ensure our spiritual health and growth.

When we spend time with Christ, He supplies us with strength and encourages us in the pursuit of His ways.

                     Let’s exchange our weariness for His strength.
                     Our weakness for His power.
                     Our darkness for His light.
                     Our problems for His solutions.
                     Our burdens for His freedom.
                     Our frustrations for His peace.
                     Our turmoil for His calm.
                     Our hopes for His promises.
                     Our afflictions for His balm of comfort.
                     Our questions for His answers.
                     Our confusion for His knowledge.
                     Our doubt for His assurance.
                     Our nothingness for His awesomeness.
                     The temporal for the eternal.
                     The impossible for the possible.

Roots are for storage

Roots serve as a reservoir of what we need.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. – Jeremiah 17: 7-8

This trusting soul, whose roots are collecting life-giving water, will exhibit several qualities.

Will not be afraid – the reservoir she has stored up from God’s Word will sustain her through the fiery trials, no matter how long they last.

Bear fruit faithfully – Because of the stored-up nourishment from God Himself, she will be like a tree of life – producing in and sometimes even out of season.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. – Psalm 1:3

As we regularly draw the needed refreshment from God’s Word, He will create in us a reservoir of hope and strength in Him.

When times are rough we can simply reach down into our hidden reservoir of refreshment and draw out what we need right now from what God has given us.

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. – Psalm 84:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7

Roots deep into God’s truth are definitely needed as reserves when times are rough!

Roots are for support

Without a well-developed root system, we will become top heavy. Have you ever noticed a plant that withers and dies and when you try to pull it out of the ground there is little to no resistance because the root system is all but missing?

With a firm, healthy root system, no wind can blow us down. The support of a healthy root system is vital for standing strong in the Lord!

When we have a solid root system, we can gain the strength needed for standing firm in spite of the pressures of life!