Have any of you ever read through the book of Proverbs? I did during my "Read the Bible in a Year" plan. But I've wanted to spend more time in it. A dear friend of mine studied it recently and I meant to jump on that study with her. Instead, I missed the saddle. Then, I found out a church that we love to follow online (North Coast Church http://www.northcoastchurch.com/) is starting a focus study on the book of Proverbs. They are chunking it out by topics. That'll be so exciting! You can follow along online, read the notes, and even have follow-up conversations using their Growth Group homework sheets.
Anyhow, I was thinking the other day... July has 31 days and Proverbs has been chunked out to 31 chapters. LIGHT BULB!! Read a chapter a day, read the book in the month. I wanted this to be more than just reading -- I wanted to include studying and reflecting.
So my plan (and I totally want you to join me)...
Read the chapter that correlates with the date. Choose a verse or two that really sticks out and resonates with me. Write it down: post on Facebook, use a pretty image/pic with the verse written across it, write it on a Post-It note, Sharpie it on an arm, get a local tattoo artist to add it to a sleeve... ok, I might be getting a little extravagant with these ideas but do you get the point?? If we read and study God's word and "write" it on our hearts, it's with us. That's HUGE!
So check out the little video attached. And if you are in, let me know!! You'll see me start posting my Proverbs verse(s) of the day. And, yes, we are starting a few days late but you can either play catch-up or get going from here. I promise, it'll be worth the time and effort you put in to this -- wisdom and knowledge are worth the work!!
After a wonderful little trip back to North Carolina to visit some friends (unfortunately I couldn't cram all of them in this time around), I sat reflecting on true friendship: what does it look like and feel like. Give me a break... I teach Kindergarten and we talk about feelings a lot! :)
Below you will find examples of good friendships from the Bible as well as verses about healthy friendships and false friendships. I hope a few of these really stick out for you and they become ones you hold tight. May this study help you reflect on your friendships!
David and Jonathan – “as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1-3) Naomi and Ruth – “I will follow you” (Ruth 1:16-17) Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:2) Job and his friends (Job 2:11) Jesus and Peter – “I will lay down my life for you.” (John
36:37)
Friendship verses:
Choose wisely
Proverbs 12:26 - The righteous choose their
friends carefully, but
the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Better than alone
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than
one, because
they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one
can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and
has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will
keep warm. But
how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two
can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Affection
Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in
love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Guidance
Proverbs 27:6 – (NLT) Wounds from a
sincere friend are
better than many kisses from an enemy.
Proverbs 11:14 - Wounds from a sincere friend are
better than many kisses from an enemy.
Strength
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so
one person sharpens another.
Advice
Proverbs 27:9 – (NLT) The heartfelt counsel
of a friend is
as sweet as perfume and incense.
Not forsaken
Proverbs 27:10 - Do not forsake your friend
and your father's friend, and
do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than
a brother who is far away.
Partnership
Philippians 1:3 - I thank my God in all my
remembrance of you
Support
Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who
rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Encouragement
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage
one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Closeness
Proverbs 18:24 - A man of many companions
may come to ruin, but
there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Company
Proverbs 25:17 (MSG) - And when you find a friend, don’t
outwear your welcome; show
up at all hours and he’ll soon get fed up.
Unconditional love
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all
times, and
a brother is born for a time of adversity.
False/Bad Friends
Reflect: would I want this friend for my
child, whom I care dearly for?
Bad morals 1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be misled:
“Bad company corrupts good character.”[
Worldly
James 4:4 - You adulterous
people,[a] don’t you
know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone
who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Anger and wrath
Proverbs 22:24-25 - Do not make friends
with a hot-tempered person, do
not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and
get yourself ensnared.
Liar, untrustworthy, insensitive
Proverbs 25:18-20 – (NLT) Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of
trouble
is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a
lame foot.
20 Singing cheerful songs to a person
with a heavy heart
is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
or pouring vinegar in a wound.
Gossip
Proverbs 16:28 - A troublemaker plants
seeds of strife; gossip
separates the best of friends.
Lack of knowledge (fool)
Proverbs 14:7 - Stay away from fools, for
you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
Harmful
Proverbs 13:20 - Whoever walks with the
wise becomes wise, but
the companion of fools will suffer harm.
John 15:13-17 - Greater love has no one than
this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.14 You
are my friends if you do what I command you.15 No
longer do I call you servants,[a] for the
servant[b] does not
know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I
have heard from my Father I have made known to you.16 You
did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and
bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the
Father in my name, he may give it to you.17 These
things I command you, so that you will love one another.
C.S. Lewis quote
“Is any pleasure on earth as great
as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”
Which close friends would you choose to go on a week-long trip, stuck on a boat? :)
Here's the next video study. It covers forgiveness. This can be a very tough topic for believers, but it is one that seems very black and white in the Bible.
As promised, I will type out the verses here for you to view and reference. I am so thankful God prompted me to look further into this topic instead of just reading through my notes from Sunday. Though the sermon was great, God called me to a deeper study. Y'all, I can't say it enough: when He prompts you, pay attention and be obedient!! It's amazing what can come out of something God has led you to - He is all good, all righteous. What flows from His is lovely!
Focus verses: Matthew 18:21-35
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[b]24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[c]25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.26 So the servant[d]fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[e] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[f]until he should pay all his debt.35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Psalm 103:12 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.
Luke 6:37-38 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Colossians 3:13 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
How many times has God forgiven me of my sins? LIMITLESS!
Matthew 18:35 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 1:18 18 “Come now, let us reason[a] together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Luke 23:34 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Romans 12:2 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians 4:32 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
After being discharged from the hospital, I sit in a quiet house and have time to think over the events of the last 24+ hours. Am I resting? Of course! If resting includes sitting on a comfy couch, searching Bible verses that talk about being alone and loneliness. I hope you can take the time to listen to this little study: Alone.
Don't mind the oily hair and the outfit from two days ago. hahaha!!!! :)
The two focus verses for this study are Matthew 28:20 and Isaiah 41:10. Look them up. Underline or highlight them. I'm sure they will come in handy in your life at one time or another! xoxo
And here's a song by Meredith Andrews. I like it better than the one I mentioned in the video (by Amy Grant). This is the lyrical video.
FOUR TAKES!! It took four takes to get it done. Holy moly! If you have time to watch it, I encourage you to... and please feel free to give me feedback either on Facebook, comment below, or text/call me personally! :)
Here's the focus verses from the study:
Isaiah
30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you sayings, "This is the way, walk
in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Proverbs 4:26-27Ponder the
path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right
or to the left, turn your foot away from evil.
Galatians 5:16,
18, 25 ...walk by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh…
are led by the Spirit… if we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with
the Spirit.
Proverbs 3:6 In all
your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 4:11- 15, 18 I have taught you the way of wisdom, I have led
you in the paths of uprighteousness. When you walk, your step will not be
hampered and if you run you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not
let go. Guard her for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked and
do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it, do not go on it, turn away from
it and pass on. 18 ...but the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
Isaiah 26:7 The path of righteousness is level, you make level the
way of the righteous
Jeremiah 31:9 With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy
I will lead them back. I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight
path in which they shall not stumble for I am a father to Israel.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path.
There you go! If you want to look up any other verses that relate to the path we are to walk, I'll attach another list - feel free to look them up and continue this study on your own. Additional Bible Verses
Here's some pics of Chewacla State Park... it's beautiful there. Come visit me and I'll take ya!
We all go through different seasons... I am in the season that most teachers look forward to: summer break!!!
I have mixed feelings... it's very bittersweet. Don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED that it's summer! I am looking forward to my time with my sons and extra time with my husband (since I won't be planning and cutting and organizing and grading ANY school work for the next few months). But I'm also a bit sad. I have fallen more in love with my job this past year than ever before. Though some days were very tough with certain kiddos or circumstances at work, it was my mission field. Now I have to wait until August, until a new herd of kids is brought together for me. So what about this break then? What to do. Oh, I know what I'll do! My list is long... and grows longer each day. To-do lists, activities lists, DIY lists, etc. I am eager to get going on certain projects, check certain boxes, take a load off of our family in a way I really couldn't during my ten months of employment.
One of those boxes to check -- BIBLE STUDY! And honestly, I don't want to check that box for a long time! Hear me out - I WANT to start on a plan of studying the Word more deeply, I just don't want to check the box like I'm DONE studying the Word. Get it? (Maybe I should rename the item on the list to "organize and initiate...") In our house, our two boys are "encouraged" to stay in their rooms until 8 a.m. on the weekends. Now with summer break here, that will continue through the week. I decided that because my alarm is going off at 7:15 at the latest. Y'all... that's more than 2 hours after I have to get up for work during school!! I am SOOOOO excited! Back to focus: that 45 minutes prior to the boys exiting their bedrooms and launching mass chaos coming downstairs full of sweetness will be spent sipping on my coffee and studying the Word. BAM!!! Nailed it! Perfect plan! Except......... what to study? What to read? When I think on that, I get a little ansy or overwhelmed. There's so much I want to read up on and dive deeper into. I only have 8-9 weeks of this! Time is going to fly by!!! Oh no!! WAIT! Stop right there. Breathe. Every moment that I have to read, study, pray, and quietly meditate will be like a piece of gold I didn't have before. A precious jewel added to my collection. I will feel richer and closer to the Father than ever before. So instead of stressing, I am making a list! I carry a little tiny composition notebook with me - pocket size! It takes about .5% of space in my massive mom purse so it's really not much of an addition to carry. When I have a thought, a question, an idea, or something I want to give more attention to I can whip out my teeny tiny notebook and jot it down at that very moment. The notebook actually says Acts 2:42 on it - helps me keep focused what the notebook is for! :) Then when I have time (like from 7:15-8 say, every morning) I can flip through there and figure out what I'm going to focus on. Sometimes my feelings from previous days (or events that occurred) cause me to go with a certain focus. That works too!
Either way, I am looking forward to this plan. It will take self-control (not sleeping in any longer, not being distracted by other things during this morning time, ....). If I can have enough self-discipline in this one VERY important area of my life, I am SURE that I can have the self-discipline to maintain healthier eating habits and active lifestyle that I've been wanting to do better at lately. Prioritizing these, I feel, is very important as well! So I'm going to start with my soul and then work towards my heart and tummy -- and then everything else on my list! :) This is sort of a different type of entry than I normally do on this blog. However, I wanted to get a few things written down and shared with each of you as my summer break gets started. Even if you don't have a summer break, you have summer! I hope you find something refreshing about this time of year, no matter what "season of life" you might be in. Here's a few verses that have popped out at me. I'll get them posted here before the clock dings 8! :) Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weary. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. Let us challenge each other, and hold each other accountable in this season of life, that we find rest in the Lord and renewed strength to grow deeper in our relationship with our Heavenly Father! Dear God, Thank you for this morning! Thank you for being near to us and allowing us to draw near to You. We often can find a gazillion ways to stay busy and overwhelmed with the chores of today, but please help us to be filled with the knowledge to take time and rest in You! I believe You will fill us with the strength to continue on the right path, checking the boxes of things that need to get done. Thank you for Your love, grace, and mercy! Amen!
Where have you been?? Just joking... where have I been?!?!?!
I looked back and saw that I published Part 2 on February 22nd. WOW! That's over two months ago. A LOT has happened since then. And, to be honest (because we always should be... and I don't want to get struck by lightening) I have put this post off for a while. I don't really have a great excuse... so I am sorry! Interestingly enough, God has poked at me over the last few months about writing this. Maybe a song brought this post to mind. Or a sermon. Or a comment from a friend. Today, it was a section in the book I am reading: Next Door Savior (Max Lucado). If you like to read, grab this up! If you don't like to read, well... get it in audio and let it read to you. It is so good! Short chapters, great examples, good scripture references. I think I like his style of writing.
I'm in the 17th chapter and it's entitled "Stormy Places." THAT'S how obvious God has to make it for me! :) A great question from this four-page (front and back) chapter was Where is God in all of this? Answer: Right in the middle of it all.
In Part 2 we talked about how Jesus calls out "It is I" or "I am" and that's all that needed to be said by Him for the disciples to know who was walking toward them on the water. He is, and was, and always will be I AM! Mr. Lucado writes how Jesus said it often enough and loud enough to get our attention: I am the bread of life, the Light of the world, the gate, the good shepherd, God's Son, the resurrection, the way, the truth, the life, the true vine. And the list goes on! How awesome, how amazing! NO ONE and NOTHING can be our Savior, coming to us in the middle of a lake during bad weather, calming and comforting us. Our fitting response: worship!
Dear God, Thank You for this moment we have to sit and enjoy time with You! If it's been a while, please forgive us. If it's another piece to our daily study, let our minds and hearts become open to what we can learn about You. Lord, help us learn from this event and become stronger in our faith and walk. Guide this study. Amen!
Today we focus on Peter (Matthew 14:28-33). Oh, Peter! This was still early in the disciples' relationships with Jesus. Peter was a bit of a fireball from the beginning. "All in" kind of guy. I'm not going to start at the very beginning when we are first introduced to Simon Peter in the Gospels. But I will give you a very short snippet of the man -- Jesus met Simon, the fisherman. He called him to become a fisher of men. So Peter dropped his net and became a close disciple of Jesus. Peter had a wife and a mother-in-law (she got sick, Jesus healed her). Peter's given name was Simon. Jesus called him "Cephas" (i.e. the Rock... aka Peter) at one of their first meetings. Such a strong name to be given to a man who has yet made his own proclamation of faith and salvation in the True Messiah. Powerful! Ok, let's jump in. Ha! Get it?!?!!?
When Peter responds to Jesus in verse 28 saying "If it is you, command me to come to you on the water," he's not looking for Jesus to prove a miracle. I understand it more as Peter believing in the Savior, beckoning for Jesus to call him out so he can draw near to Christ. Friend, think about it: what storm will we go through just to stand by Jesus? Peter always seemed to have this "next to your side" type personality. Honestly, I have that too - so much so, at times I think I turn people off with my over-the-top "smother you because I love you" attitude!! Hey, we all have our issues! :) Peter is that friend who is waiting by the phone, just waiting for Jesus to ring and say, Hey I need ya... and Peter is out the door without even getting directions, time, or a "See ya soon." I think I like that about Peter!
Jesus is walking toward the boat, Peter is ready to go out the boat to Jesus. What faith! The heart just grows fonder... we desire to step out and head towards Him, not really paying attention to our surroundings.
Jesus responds: Come! Peter got the go-ahead. He didn't rashly and haphazardly thrust himself onto the situation. Peter's faith to go was dependent on Christ. Sometimes I forget to wait for a response. Then I can become pushy and overbearing with my friends. And, looking at how I respond to God's will and timing, I can fail in that area too. Sometimes I jump before God says "just stand" or I start a sprint when God says "pace the marathon". Do you face this too? I'm not saying stay a statue but ASK Him... and once you have the go-ahead, rock out! Knock BEFORE you enter, look both ways BEFORE you cross the street. Pray and seek wise counsel BEFORE... (insert your personal issue here). The BEFORE can save us from a bad AFTER.
This action and movement of Peter doesn't seem to show a doubting in the Christ but a way to grow in his trust in the Savior. Unlike the Pharisees trying to "catch" Jesus at something, Peter is eager to grow closer and learn more from Jesus. If you have ever been in a relationship, you know the eagerness to spend time together to learn more about each other. When my hubby and I started dating, he was drilled with 100 and 1 questions about his past, present, and future. I wasn't trying to catch him at something or find a fault in him - I just wanted to know him better! See if he was worth my time. ;) The only way for me to learn about him was to question him and then to spend time with him to see how he really lived - to see if his actions matched his words. Look at Peter. He has already been spending so much time with Jesus. Now, in such an amazing circumstance, Peter yearns to draw near to Jesus in the middle of powerful weather just to be with Him. I know that feeling with Jake and how much greater of a feeling is it when it is toward my loving Savior, the only One who can fill me completely!!
Verse 30 tells us that when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. He cried out "Lord save me!" It's not like the storm had momentarily stopped and all of sudden started back up. No, Peter's eyes had been set on the Savior and all worries and troubles had faded away for that moment. But then REALITY set back in and fear grabbed him. I've been there. You? He cried out just like I have so many times! LORD SAVE ME! No, I wasn't physically stepping out of a boat to walk towards Him but I was suddenly realizing the sinking feeling that was dragging me down - physically, emotionally, spiritually (or lack of...)! What has brought you down? Is there something currently dragging you down? Keep reading...
Verse 31: IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. PRAISE GOD, Jesus is still in the business of reaching out and saving you and me! Psalm 63:8 reads "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." I have felt Him save me. He's brought me out of some very dark places - all I had to do was cry out to Him. Then Jesus adds a little comment about faith. Yes, there are times I can hear Him say to me just like Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" My fears lead me to doubt. And He calls us out for it. This isn't the only time we read about doubting faith. James 1:6 says But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. The doubting person shows such uncertainty and instability in his trust in God and places it in the world. Oh, faith can be hard because it can be blind. But it needs to be strong and steady, not tossed about to and fro! Let that be a prayer of ours, to remain strong and steady, dear friend.
Peter walked to Jesus in faith. Peter learned of his weakness by sinking (note: his faith wasn't miraculously changed from that point forward... he said he wouldn't deny the Christ and yet he did THREE times). Peter got a confidence check. But this lesson encouraged his faith to grow even more. If you don't know, Peter goes on to be quite the missionary, bold in the faith, reaching out to Gentiles (non-Jewish folk), and learning so much along the way! His ending is that of a crucifixion yet he requested to be hung upside down because he felt he was not worthy to die the same death of his Savior. An amazing man! Worth deeper studying.
As we close out this final part of the study, please hear me: our lengthy trials will often show us a possible weakness in our faith. That's okay... grow from that!! Don't think you are a failure because you waivered in the storm! Peter did... and look at what all he became for the glory of the Father! Fear might get mixed in with a strong faith and great courage - we are only human. But strive, my friend, to remain strong. Be grounded in the Father and the Truth. The moment Peter and Jesus climbed into the boat "the wind ceased." The test, the trial, the scary situation ended like THAT (finger snap). And so we worship! We praise! We proclaim just like the men in the boat... "Truly You are the Son of God!"
Dear God, We believe You are God, Jesus is Your Son, and You won't ever let us go under! If we cry out, even in our lacking of faith, Your right hand will uphold us and not let us fall. Thank You! I pray we have learned more about Your awesomeness in this final part of our study of the Storm. In just 11 verses we learn so much about You. Thank You for leading this study and helping us grow in our relationship with You. Let us be spurred to do so more often and become stronger in our faith. Amen!
