Rahab - Dec. 15

Women of Courage : Ladies Bible Study- Rahab- Dec. 15

The Fear of God and Faith –seems to be the focus of this lesson. 

Joshua 1:9   Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

2 Tim 2:15  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Rahab seeming to have no redeeming qualities up to this point, but God chose her.  And Mary also, with no known redeeming qualities was selected and chosen by God to restore and redeem her and to bear His son.  

Could Rahab lived a different life? She still would have been a sinner in need of redemption.  The would have been condemned for her sins no matter what.  To what extent are women today responsible for their sin, Romans 1 tells us we are all without excuse!

Ecc. 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

Confluent- the flowing together of forces, we live our lives knowing that there are forces that weave into our lives and we know that God is directing our footsteps day by day.  Many people use the situation that happened in Connecticut as a proclamation that there is no God. But we know that God is very active and his plans are before us. 

Ezek 36:20-

20 When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ 21 But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went.

22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

33 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

Psalm 119:133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Jeremiah 10:23   O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

So what is God trying to tell us?  How can we be separate from the sins of our nation?

How have we profaned the name of the Lord or allowed God’s name to be profaned by others? We hear of the shootings here in this land, and the stabbing of children in China, and the many other things that are happening in our world.  They are spiritually dead, influenced by forces within spiritual wickedness. We need to stay away from the world, its’ influences and the evil around us. Any time we profess to be a Christian and don’t behave like one, anytime we don’t speak up for God. Pray that God changes our hearts of stone. We need to be strong in the Lord, living in his word, drawing closer daily to our Lord.  Be a part of the two and not of the ten! Be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might, walking in faith, walking the narrow road.

Let us pray for God to reveal our “idols” so that we no longer profane God’s name. Let us speak God’s word in truth and love to others. Praise God for his word, the fact we have access to it and He can guide us as we learn daily to walk closer to him.  

 

Post Script: The Jesus Film app is available to all; it is free to send to others.

Also mentioned it the beginnings of a mobile medical unit for pregnant women in need locally.  They are working to prepare the motorhome to get everything ready to go.

Rahab

Ladies Bible Study- Rahab - Nov. 17

We began by speaking about faith:

Thinking about faith, Rahab was all about faith. Her heart had been so prepared by God, even living in an entirely pagan world, her faith was strong. She knew what God could do. She had great fear, knowing what God had done in the lives of the Hebrews. She knew about what had happened in Egypt and how the Israelites had conquered the kings from other countries. They had also heard of the recent crossing over the Jordon and the water parting. They knew that God was still with them.

Unlike the “demons who believe in God and tremble”, she did have fear, but she also had trust, trusting their God to have mercy upon her and her family. Through her trust came her obedience.

The Israelites had experienced the fear of God as they went through the wrath against their disobedience at Ai. They understood the price of sin, but they also learned of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Like them, Rahab, she had fear, but was learning about God’s mercy and forgiveness. Even in her ignorance she acted in trust.

Prov. 8:13

¹³ “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Faith in evidence- seeing the things that God does. Psalm 111

1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the assembly. 2 Great are the works of the Lord; They are studied by all who delight in them. 3 Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever. 6 He has made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. 8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are performed in truth and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Rahab had this assurance in her heart. She knew that God would be with her.

Question 1:

Deut. 18:9-12; 20:17-18; 1 Kings 17-29 What is your response to the order of God to the Israelites to “utterly destroy” people such as the Amorites?

God has a perfect plan, even when we don’t understand it. God was protecting his chosen people.

Am I willing to examine myself as an idolater, worshipping anything other than God, we are as guilty as the people of these lands.  

The word “learn” in Duet. 18- is like the word “goad”, we are being prodded to move forward to follow God and away from the world.

So what are the abominations that God hates: Prov. 6:16-19

¹⁶ There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

We discussed at length each of these and how they reflect in our own lives.

Rahab Nov. 3

The bible study started with prayer.

Continuing with the story of Rahab.

Question:  what would have happened if someone had made a sound (talking) while the men were walking around Jericho?  It’s hard to know what would have happened since it was not discussed in the bible, but when one of the Israelites took some items from the city of Ai there were severe consequences.  You cannot doubt the sovereignty of God.

Back to the discussion of who married Rahab.  The lineage of Salmon goes back to Amminadab of Judah, a very trusted person to Moses.  Nashon was son to Amminadab.  Both were considered to be Princes.  Salmon was son of Nashon.  Rahab ended up marrying a respected leader, Salmon, of a respected family. 

It was amazing what the people of Jericho witnessed before the city was destroyed.  The people of Jericho saw the dust of 3 million people moving to Mt. Nebo.  The Israelites probably had their banners flying.  The fear of what was ahead must have been something to behold.

 When the Israelite army started their journey from Mt Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant left first, then Judah was the first tribe out which provided the protection for the ark and everyone else.  Judah was the front army.  Judah was the favored tribe because Jesus came from their lineage.  This time in history established the importance of the tribe of Judah.

What was the deal that Rahab struck the Israelite spies?  “Our lives for your lives”  It was interesting that Rahab struck in the deal to also save her family and not just herself.  It showed a depth of feeling for her family and showed a prepared heart. 

Between the time the spies returned to Joshua and approached Jericho, they crossed the Jordan and the men were circumcised the other side – so time elapsed before the Israelites started the attack.  Rahab had to be patient and keep her mouth closed.

There is a mutual oath between the spies and Rahab.  She will not tell of what the spies were doing “our lives for your live”.  The spies will show kindness to Rahab and her family.  Hebrew kindness is frequently translated to love or unfailing love.  A demonstration of the covenant God had with the Israelites, which shows his unfailing love.

Size of the city of Jericho, is about 10 acres and held approximately 2,000 people.  It puts perspective on what the walking was like for the soldiers.

Shera handed out a handout evaluating the term FAITH and how it related to other terms.  This is something we can work on before the next session.  What is the evidence of faith and assurance?  One of the reasons the story of Rahab is in the bible is to show God’s sovereignty and the faith of Rahab.  Whatever sadness or shame or guilt we have in our lives can be overcome by the grace of God and his enduring love. 

What was the significance of Rahab’s hanging a scarlet cord in her window?  The color red often denotes offense, sin, immoral or promiscuous, from the dictionary.   Biblically, scarlet is a color from the blood of the Passover lamb when the Lord struck down the first born of Egypt. 

While looking at the Faith handout look at Psalms 111, Job 19:25, the book of Joshua.   Joshua was never weak in his faith.  Joshua 1:9, 23:10-14, 3:10-13.  Duet 3:21-22 (Moses speaking to Joshua), Ecclesiastes 8:12.  Book of James.   Hebrews 11:1 – what does it really mean?  Faith is the hope and the assurance that what God says will occur. 

Close out in prayer.

Study of Rahab begins

Ladies Bible Study Oct. 20

We began our study of Rahab!  We enjoyed the study of Sarah so much, but it is nice to move on to our new study!  We read Joshua 2:1-23, Joshua 6:20-26, Hebrews 11:30-31 and James 2:14-26.The fact that Rahab is mentioned in James with Abraham, shows that there is significance to her works. 

Jericho is in the part of Israel that is in debate and causing upheaval right now.  We looked on maps printed by Shera to get an idea of the areas involved and the Exodus map.  The road from Jerusalem was a road that Jesus traveled. It was an interesting historical visit, and the question asked was the historical facts important to our study and we agree that the history allows us to have a better insight into the people of this land.

We looked at Deuteronomy 2:25 and 11:25, God put the fear of the Israelites into the hearts of those in the lands that God would lead them. And the people of Jericho had the great fear of the Israelites.

Question one – How would you describe the spiritual makeover of Rahab if you were to describe her to a friend.

Was it important to God that she was a harlot? We agreed that God probably used her because her profession to allow these men to gain access to her home and have trust in her confidences to keep things secret.  God was preparing her.  God wanted us to know that she was listed as a harlot, allowing us to see that she was used by God and listed in the scriptures.

 It shows that our past will follow us, there are consequences for our sins that often label us, but God can still use us if it is his will.   She had heard the stories of the miracles of Israel all her life. She believed those stories and trusted the Israelites with her life and the life of her families.  She had little knowledge of God, but she heard about them and through that hearing she believed!!  She believed enough to not turn these men in to the authorities in her town, she feared God more than man.  She was willing to risk all for a God she barely knew, even though it was God giving her the faith.

The events took place quickly in her life.  The men arrived and soon the soldiers came seeking them. She had to quickly make the decision of what her stand would be, and yet God had been preparing her heart all along.  She encouraged and directed the spies.  She related the greatness of their God and then gave them direction to assist them in their escape. 

Question 2 – In what way was Rahab like the Israelites who came to conquer her city?

They believed in the same God.  The Israelites like Rahab were thinking of the acts of God, remembering the acts of their fathers who failed to enter the promised land.  The Israelites knew this was their moment to enter the promised land and they moved forward with purpose.  Rahab had purpose as well!  Her purpose was to honor the Israelite God through protecting these men.  This is an example of faith with works!!  We are going to learn more as we go through this study how the works of faith are evident in our lives!!

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

During the days that the Israelites traveled around the walls of Jericho, they would have suffered the jeers and things being thrown at them as they walked.  They were quiet as they walked, but they were most likely in prayer during their walk.  Their hearts being prepared for the battle before them and their learning to trust God.

Question 3: How had Rahabs heart been prepared to believe in Yahweh?

She had heard the stories and she probably disliked her life and would have loved to leave that lifestyle.  She had seen the gods of her people that did not do anything to change situations, yet she saw the Israelite God as the one God that had done miracles to change the direction of great nations and the movement of his people.  She wanted to trust this Israelite God.

 

Sarah Oct. 6

Ladies Bible Study Oct 6

We started the Bible study singing the song  ”I love you Lord” (modified to We love you Lord)

There were less people here at the study this morning due to other folks’ commitments.

To what degree is a wife called to help her husband fulfill his destiny?  Answer:  it is a help to pray for your husband to be a man of God and to fulfill the destiny that God has laid out for him.  A man that leads his family in God’s way is a great destiny.  As you start to fulfill your destiny, pressures of time and energy and attacks from the enemy are prevalent.  Even family members don’t always understand your destiny and work against your efforts.     

In what ways, and why, is it important for a wife to root her hope and expectation in a promise that she sees as including her?  Answer:  Peter’s wife must have been a believing wife from the beginning.   1 Cor 9:5.  Perceptions of the Church is that you can’t take your wife with you at all times.  Peter took his wife with him wherever he went.  No one chose to bring out the qualities of Peter’s wife in scripture but if you study the word you can see the influence she had on him.  Encouragement from the wife will be fruitful. 

In what ways might the Lord be challenging you to seek a new “description” for your life in the days ahead?    We are all in different seasons of our lives.  Some are learning to care take for parents, empty nesters, mothers, learning to live without spouse.  Every new description requires new learning and study of the word to know the will of God and to have faith that God knows best. 

The core of what Sarah has offered will stay with us for a long time, forever?  We know Sarah, Bible verses and the journey of her whole life.  Her life is a testament to trials and negative events, but she was deemed faithful.

Lasting implications (page 22): What are the challenges that God-fearing people face today as they are confronted frequently by godless people who are making godless decisions?  Gen. 12 and 19.  Abraham was directed to go to …. As they got to Egypt Abraham feared for his life and told Sarah to say that she was his sister.  Indeed she was commended to Pharaoh.  The Lord plagued Pharaoh with great plagues, which caused him to release Sarah back to Abraham.  Can we condemn Pharaoh for the sins of Abraham?  The pressures of society must have an effect on our decisions.

Abimilech:  Same sort of story.  Perceptions of God-less is a very slippery slope.  Even a non-god fearing person is influenced by God. 

Lying has a varying degree of impact.  Financial infidelity, when we hide or lie about purchases we make with the family finances.   How does the sin of the world affect our decisions?  Abraham chose to lie to Pharaoh and possibly endanger Sarah.  How many times do you need to sin and get corrected before you can make decisions that demonstrate your faith. 

We should all be like Daniel, prostrate on the floor begging for relief for his people. 

The person we have the most trouble with is the person we see in the mirror.  That is the person we have to ask for forgiveness for, that annoys us, that don’t live up to expectations.  We need to get our own house in order before we judge others. 

Sarah was often remarked to be a beautiful woman.   She was spiritually beautiful as well.  She was obedient to God and that was evident.  That is something we can try to attain in our lives.   Sarah wasn’t along for the ride, she had her own purpose.  Why would Abraham want to give up Sarah to Pharaoh?  Wasn’t he the spiritual leader of the family? 

Women’s role in the family,  generally to be the heart of the home not the leader.  Questioning the events that happen at the time is hard to maintain faith.  But he has longsuffering love for us and has always been there with us.   Fortunately we can learn from past demonstrations of God’s unfailing love and faith. 

We go from judging Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham to seeing that we are looking in the mirror when we review the events in their lives.  When picking through the life of Sarah there seemed to be some scary events. 

Next study will be Rahab. 

The ethics of smuggling, how do you rationalize breaking the law to meet the seemingly clear goals of Christianity.  Perhaps we will be seeing some answers through this study. 

 

Sarah Sept. 15

Ladies Bible Study Sept. 15

We began with prayer for Jackson- a small boy that developed muscle control problems that are life risking,  Bill (Donna’s son)- for the surgery he needs for the problem in his brain, and for a couple in Shera’s family and the loss of a baby in the womb.  We asked the Lord to bless the meeting and to guide us as we have our study today.

We begin on p. 20 question #4 reading Genesis 16:6-16

In what ways did God extend mercy to Hagar?  God was aware of her, even before this moment.  She is learning about God and his mercy.  She was in a place where she shouldn’t have been, but God didn’t leave her there. He corrected her and then gave her a hope and a promise.  He sent her back to be under another’s authority. 

God can lift you from the “muck” of this life and set you on the right path.  It is God’s restoration of Hagar and shows his love and mercy, and his command to her to return.  God named her son, but how did Abram know to name his son Ishmael?  How precious for her to see this promise fulfilled.  It had to be humbling to her.  God never promised easier times, but only that she needed to return and that she would continue to be a servant.  But through her son’s name she would be reminded daily that God gave her a promise. 

Like Moses, who killed an Egyptian and had to return years later to Egypt to face that sin.  When he returned, he went there with God. 
Hagar was brought to a relationship with God and then returned to the servitude she had in her life.  Like Moses, she had to face a difficult time and continue.

The years that these people spent together resulted in the nations that we have today, all a result of the relationships of Abram.  The words spoken by God still hold true today – Genesis 6:12

“He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”

The influence of the world is all around us and we need to continue to be God’s light in the world, praying for God’s direction. The first time Hagar left she may have felt she could return, but the second time she left she was sent away and felt she couldn’t return.  It is in those moments that we are completely “lost” that God rescues us completely.  We need to place our entire focus on our Lord.

God restored the family through the situations they had to journey through.  God had a purpose in his direction.

Question #5 Genesis 17:1 Why did God reveal himself to Abram as El Shaddai- Almighty God?

Because God was preparing to do mighty things within and through Abraham, God stressed his power.  You will know me as the all sufficient God.  Abraham means father of a multitude. They would be heading into a new journey or direction in their lives.  They would see God’s hand on their life.  Prepare yourself and your family for what is ahead…… at ninety-nine.  

We shouldn’t limit ourselves because of our age. As long as we are here and have breath God will use us for his will and his plan.  It is His direction and leading. 

Question #6 Genesis 17:19; 21:1-7 – Why did Sarah name her son Isaac which meant laughter?

In Genesis 17- he was named by God, so it wasn't Sarah that named Isaac. This question may have been worded incorrectly, but we know the texts that we have been looking at. We know what it says, we need to be careful in our wording and focus in God’s word. This study leads us into deeper study of God’s word and the phrasing of questions.

We are laughing with Sarah to this day!  We can imagine the talk that went on within the tents around them, but in the end God blessed them with the child.  People must have known that God’s hand was upon this pregnancy and birth, they were a testimony of God’s almighty power and authority over life.  They must have rejoiced with them over the miracle of this child, strengthening the relationship of many with the LORD.

We worry today how a forty year old may have difficulty delivering their child. They lived in a time where there were stillbirths and complications.  Once again they would have to rely upon their Lord. The stillborn child in Shera’s family made her remember how David felt after the birth of his firstborn.  She was able to share this with the father and give them a hope for a peace from God.

Question #7 Galatians 4:24-30.  What did Paul teach to the Galatians using the examples of Sarah, Isaac, Hagar, and Ishmael?

Paul uses the expulsion of Hagar as the conflict between law and grace.   Hagar represents the bondage to sin but Sarah represents freedom in Christ- Born of God.  We may struggle for our lifetime, but the promise will come.  It is our focus that is so important.  Are we focused on the things of the world, the flesh? Or are we looking to God and his promises? 

Question #8 1 Peter3:4-6

Sarah trusted God and moved forward, Sarah counted God faithful.

Jesus in the gospels rebuked wavering weak faith.  God rebukes our wavering but pulls us to him.  Sarah was the epitome of faithful women, faithful in God’s eyes.  We can look at Sarah and how her life relates to us, what we can learn from her.

Praise God for his word and his promises.  We are all learning to trust God as we walk our path through life.

Sarah continues Sept. 1

Ladies Bible Study Sept. 1

We opened with prayer

We continued in Bible connections pg. 20 question 3

Respond to the statement: no good has ever come from any violation of the “one-flesh” principle of monogamy.

We read:  Genesis 29:23-31; 2 Samuel 5:13; 1 Kings 11:1-4; Matthew 19:4-5; 1 Corinthians 7:2

No sin is ever good in the sight of God, but if our sins left us here in front of God as no good, we would be without hope.  It brings us to Romans 8:28. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

But we need to look at the consequences of your sin and how they affect not only us but those in our lives. But, God is working with us through all our sinning.  My sins still have consequences today, but everything that we are working through as Christians is working toward the good.

Like a pipe cleaner that gets kinked and we cannot straighten, our sin messes with our lives and we are in bondage by the sins that have flowed through generations.  We need to turn to the one true God, who is the one that can straighten our lives.

We had a lot of discussion about the imperfectness that have happened in the world around us and how adultery and sex outside of marriage has caused problems.  We all had instances to relate and also how God has used the things in our lives to change us and turn us to Him.  WE have to be careful not to label others as no good.  God does as he directs.

Abraham was a weak link with Sarah, but he broke the marriage trust. We have to be constantly on guard to keep from sin.  Sin affects us and leaves us with scars. We need to be alert to the spirit and run from the sin and temptation around us.

Isaiah 61

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives

And freedom to prisoners;

2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

3 To grant those who mourn in Zion,

Giving them a garland instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Ecclesiastes 7:13 
Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

We remember where we came from and the grace that gets us through.

Zechariah 13:9

⁹ “And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

Let us lift up our voices to proclaim “The Lord is my God” and to turn away from the sins that so easily beset us.

Sarah Aug. 18

Ladies Bible Study Aug. 18

We began with prayer presented by Shera

Discussion begins with Mark 9- Sarah is in her tent listening to the Lord. Is anything impossible with the Lord.

At the beginning of Mark 9 is the transfiguration.  What a wonderful experience and when they came down from the mountain there were 9 other disciples left there.  The scribes had been questioning these disciples and a man stepped out of the crowd to speak to Jesus.  This man said he needed Jesus to heal his son and Jesus’ disciples could not remove the demon from the boy.  Jesus refers to the crowd as a faithless generation and the boy begins convulsing and falling into the fire.  The man explains that this has been happening throughout the boy’s youth.  The man said to Jesus IF you can you could remove the spirit and Jesus replies If you can believe, with God all things are possible. The man said I believe, help my unbelief!

Then we see the responses of the Leper and then the lady with the issue of blood.  Peter’s mother in law was sick with a fever and Jesus just walks over and touches her

The ultimate end was that they all believed and all had healing and all were touched by God.  People may not be looking for God, but God has a purpose in all that he does.   Our salvation, healing, or whatever, is not of us it is all of God, for HIS GLORY!!  We get so much more when we do believe. When we believe we begin to see more of the whole picture of God’s movements. 

When looking at our moment of salvation and looking at the thief on the cross, we don’t know when his salvation happened, but we do know that at the end he is receiving the blessings poured out upon him. Like Sarah, we don’t know when Sarah received her moment of salvation, but she too received the blessings poured out upon her.  Sarah is an example placed in God’s word for an example of a faithful woman.

Hebrews 11:11- We looked at the paper prepared by Pastor Jon, and Shera asked us to be careful of what versions we are reading.  The Hermeneutics of Biblical study = the thoughts of another combined with the thoughts written in another language. 

Question 2 pg. 20

The promise isn’t what was important, what IS important is the knowing that God who is in control.  Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an unknown God.”  Sarah trusted God and we have that opportunity too! Trusting God through all things in our lives!   Sarah counted God faithful in all, knowing that through all her making a mess He still loved her and fulfilled his promise through her.

1Tim. 12:1-15

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. 15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Sarah had faith but she also had doubts, she had jealousy of her maid servant, her child, lived with her weaknesses, she was totally human, just like us.  But, God knew her heart and all her weaknesses and God saw great things.  His faithfulness doesn’t rely on us.  

Shera shared the story of her brother’s death and how her mother’s strength in God was unwavering. At the same time of her brother’s death the marines in the American embassy in Iran were killed.  Her mom said, “Oh, I need to pray for those families that have lost family” Her thoughts were on others even in her worst times.

In Genesis God tells them that there will be enmity between the serpent and man as a prediction of the coming of the Savior.  

Edith brought the story of her mother-in-law and how she got sick on Thanksgiving and died of bone cancer by Christmas.  Her mother-in-law when asked if she was upset replied, “Christians look forward to going home!”  How some have tremendous faith and they are a great inspiration to us.

In 1 Samuel 30:4-6 tells of all the sadness of having their families taken, but David encouraged himself in the Lord His GOD!  How do we give out our Christian heart; how do we show our heart and not have it be a platitude, when we say “God really cares for you.”  That person may hate what we say but sometimes we need to say it.  Sometimes words unspoken are better and actions need to be done. 

Sarah continues Aug.4

Ladies Bible Study Aug. 4- Study of Sarah

We began by discussing the polytheistic nature of the world today, how many are embracing nature gods or what they want to be gods. 

We then looked at question 5 – what ways were the name changes of Abraham and Sarah significant in helping them have faith in God’s fulfillment of His promise.

It is a constant confirmation since they can’t even hear their names without thinking about the promise. It is also a time that God is confirming Sarah’s involvement in the promise.  God had plans for their union.  This is also showing God’s love to the both of them, after 13 years after the incident with Hagar.  We also wonder if Sarah is carrying around “baggage” from her past religions which hinders her walk or even if she truly trusted that she would be a part of the promise.  She is a true example of our wavering in her walk with God, and yet God placed her in faith’s hall of fame!

In today’s culture we choose names because they are what we want, but God changed or selected the names of several people in his word, and God has also promised us a new name in heaven!!

Bible Connections:

1.       Genesis 17:15 Sarah’s name was changed when she was 90, how does age impact the ability or desire to change:

Our requirements from God remain the same, although with time growing short she may have felt a desire to get things done.  She suffered with childlessness for 90 years, but when change in your life has been prepared by God we go through things a little easier, at least if we are walking with God. God was preparing her through her suffering and God is revealing himself through these circumstances. They didn’t have God’s written word and they didn’t have years and years of experience with God.

What is required for change to be embraced by women especially older women?

Women must have: She needs support, Submission to God, willingness to change, to be flexible and flow in the grace of the Lord and to have Faith. It really doesn’t matter what we think, what matters is having the faith in God.  You must let go of self, if you are stuck in your way you won’t. You must have a teachable spirit, sanctification- the teachable spirit.   God calls us beloved.  We must have the willingness to look at the big picture.  When we learn that it isn’t all about us, we are just a piece of the whole puzzle, there is a purpose.  How broad was their scope of view.  Without the blessing of God there will never be change. The world has their opinion on change, but God is the one that will change things.

2.       Hebrews 11:11 – Sarah is mentioned in the Faith’s hall of fame, she judged him faithful who had promised. What does that phrase mean to you?

We have a discrepancy on the interpretations in this passage, so we will be researching this passage further and come back to it another time.  We encourage you to listen to the sermon that Shera shared with us.  We cannot transfer faith or belief. Each of us will independently be given faith by God if he so wills.  We do see some of Sarah’s walk of faith as she learns how to trust.  The faith of her husband would affect her because of his leadership in the family, as well as how he prayed and demonstrated his faith.  God uses people to spread his word. Throughout history God has chosen men to have a part in God’s way.

Shera  listened to a sermon by Rev. John Greer of Ballymena Free Presbyterian Church, Ballymena, N. Ireland last week: the path if anyone is interested in the further understanding of Sarah from Heb 11:11-12 and Gen 18.  It is titled "Receiving Strength By Faith".
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?m=t&s=520464142.

Sarah continues

Ladies Bible Study July 21^st- Study of Sarah

We continue in the first section with question #4

We read chapter 16 of Genesis, with question 4, Sarah, Abraham and Hagar all had their part in sinning.

Sarah didn’t wait upon the Lord; she tried to “help” God.  There was a divine promise and she tried to engineer it.  Her sin still affects us today with the peoples in the Middle East and the warfare that continues there today.  But, God in his sovereignty uses this in his plan.  We too can be easily influenced by family and friends, the custom of the day.  We need to be careful of opinions and turn to God’s word for guidance.  They knew the culture around them; God had to remove them from the culture.  They still had the influence from their culture and had to “re-learn” to follow God.

Reference was made as to “Who are we dancing for?” Who are you following, do you “dance” for idols or do you dance for the Lord? Looking at the culture of home lives and work, or school, are we careful to follow the right path.

p.28 The consequences of such a carnal life nearly tore her life apart and leaves a scar on our personalities.  Through our trials, others see the hurt and circumstances in our lives and wonder how we hold fast to God.  They need to see our faith through trial.  People assume that God allows the bad, but Adam through the fall of man brought sin into the world.

How do we feel about Sarah’s response and behavior to what was happening with Hagar? We don’t understand the cultural circumstances that led Sarah to this decision.  Sarah was holding on to this promise, but ignore other scriptures.. like man should cleave to his wife and become one flesh.  We need to be careful to not ignore God’s word! Are you reading God’s word?

Looking at historical facts of Abram, we know that there were worshipers of God at this time, but we don’t know exactly how they worshiped.  Noah’s Law – a man of true faith, he had laws: Not to worship other idols, not to blaspheme, to follow laws, and not to commit adultery, not to kill, and not to rob. They were descendants of Noah and they knew of God.

Abraham sinned in that he offered his wife as his sister, opening his marriage to give her to another man as the other man’s wife for fear of his own life.   Abraham could have refused to take Hagar as his wife. The fruit of sin is bitter, but God is sovereign in his dealings with us.  He was torn as a father and seeing the strife in their family and sending his son away when he was 16, even though he did come back.

God still says that they were faithful, God looks at us and says precious and treasure.  God said faithful.  Even when we act the same way that Sarah did, God still judges us. We are his and he knows our hearts just like he knew hers. 

Hagar- her sin, she had bitterness and contempt. Contempt= to make little.  Hagar placed Sarah as beneath her.  But Hagar was a servant, she wasn’t a wife, was she looked on with contempt from the other servants? She didn’t have a choice in becoming Abraham’s “wife”.  Her fruit was to return to being a servant.  God restored her to her position.  She called God “the God of seeing, truly here I have seen him who looks after me”, knowing that God was watching over her as well.  

We need to keep our eyes on God.

Sarah Continues

Ladies Bible Study July 7^th -Study of Sarah

Last week we finished question one and listened to the Old Testament scripture readings that involve both Abraham and Sarah.

Returning to question one, one thing we didn’t do was apply her characteristics to us:  Impatient, temperamental, conniving, pouty, erratic, naggy, beautiful, unreasonable, great faith, hospitable, having a hope that never dies.  Did she truly have all these characteristics? We looked at the word- naggy.  Did she nag or are those our words? Looking at the positives and negatives what do we glean?

She was barren and she had a hope and a promise, but it also caused her grief.  Some of our strengths can be our greatest weaknesses. Like her we can use our strengths in ways to get our own ways which leads us into sin.  We too have a fight within our members, saved but full of flesh.  Our characteristics depending on how we use them could bless or be sin.  Nagging could be used positively as exhorting or in the negative.  She was probably a very strong woman, and possibly a little spoiled in nature. Sarah was a total woman, full of emotion and illogic at times, searching for the correct answers.  She was preeminent in her relationship with her husband, but she did not have a direct voice from God. So, in the process of waiting, wanting to accomplish God’s will, she stepped out and sinned in giving Hagar to her husband.  It probably seemed right at the time, but the result brought heartache and trouble to the nations throughout history.  She acted in desperation and turned to the ways of the world.

Sin is any personal lack of conformity to the moral character of God or the law of God.

Question #2.

 She moved with her husband and began their journey through a land that God led them through. What was her response to leaving Haran for this “unknown land of promise”? They went forth and didn’t look back, Hebrews 11:15.  She left with family and servants, but it involves leaving what is known to move to the unknown, not knowing what was ahead. Whether there would be danger or hardships they went.

We too, when called by God have to leave friends and family, following God in the direction he wants us to go.  We have to surrender our children into God’s hands.  We want to have control of things, but it is God who must reign and to whom we have to let have control  .

Romans 1:20 – none of us are in a vacuum, we are all without excuse.

Question #3-

From the time she was 65 until death she lived a nomadic life. What made it bearable?

Tents, servants, family, her husband and her dedication to him, her faith in God’s calling and leading.

McArthur suggested that Bethel was their anchor of their faith.  Both had the need to return to it to refresh their faith. 

God’s timing and plans are way different than what we think they should be. We need to learn how to give over our worries and concerns and efforts to fix things, to God.  God is soverign.

Sarah

Ladies Bible Study June 16, 2012   Study of Sarah

Thinking about a stranger in our midst, Sarah, who is Sarah?

Patient to a point- then impatient; She was Abraham’s half-sister.  She was 90 when she had her first child and died when she was 127; She was very beautiful in a time when most were weathered,  she was jealous, She came from a wealthy family, she had comforts of home with her, her luxury was different than ours.  Men noticed her even in her older age, ageless beauty and she had inner beauty. She followed her husband in faith. She was barren, but God promised her children.  She was jealous and vengeful, yet she never turned from God. She didn’t waver in her husband or her faith. 

Romans 4:17-20 these verses show the deadness of Sarah’s womb and the agedness of Abraham.  God provided the complete miracle in the birth of Issac.

God keeps us from harm’s way, yet we have frailty, impatience, deceptiveness.  But through their faith God rewarded them. We don’t see their asking for forgiveness, but they remained faithful to God.  God had a plan to make Abraham the father of many nations, God provided the wealth and growth of these people directed in His plan.  They fell hard, but God still used them.

We wish we could be a little further over on the perfect scale, but because of our inadequate and sinful nature we can clearly see and praise God even more for taking our imperfect selves and using us for his greatness. God looks on the heart, and God knew them.  Even though we do stupid things, God knows our hearts as well, and uses us anyway. 

Even after Hagar became pregnant because of Sarah’s impatience, Sarah waited another 13 years before she had her child.  During that time she may have questioned herself wondering if she had made a horrible mistake.  But God in his mercy has the perfect plan.

A Road Map-

She left Haran for an unknown land of promise. In our handouts we marked all the mentioned places that they had traveled to and through, Reading from Genesis 12-23.  They traveled the land that Israel inhabits today.

Hebrews 11: 13  All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them

End of the study on Eve

Ladies Bible Study June 2, 2012

We opened with prayer

We began with question 8 page 4 to finish the study of Eve.  The reflective questions were discussed as desired.

#8 What is the biblical understanding of the crushing of Satan by Jesus?   Romans 16:20; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Gal. 4:4

Jesus took the place of the yearly sacrifices because he is the ultimate sacrifice!  We forget that Jesus gave his perfect submission, that he might render the devil powerless, God is all powerful. So why was it written that Satan will be crushed shortly, this was after the resurrection.  Humans must still deal with Satan and the influence that Satan puts in our lives.  Just like a kid, Satan still pushes against God and tries to get us to fall. 

The ultimate lie of all lies is our wanting to exalt ourselves over God. That exultation is still goes on in our lives.  The moment we place ourselves over any situation without exulting God, we are sinning. The ultimate insult would be from those that insist there is no god.  Atheists state that we are just chemical reactions, a result of evolution, yet they go home and cherish their own families, placing value on those “chemical reactions” thus, giving value to humanity and thus giving God glory.

 The perfect woman- by not giving us her physical attributes, we do not feel we have to live up to those standards.  We in our imperfections, realize that the physical is not the focus. It is the heart that determines who we truly are.  Eve was made for Adam, God made her specifically for him, knowing what Adam needed and what Adam would desire.  Before we were saved we may have concentrated on the physical, but as we grow in the Lord, you learn to love in a different way.  God changes people. Ps. 45:15 - The king’s daughter is all glorious within.

Vulnerability- being vulnerable, is it an excuse? Are we pasting a fig leaf on us? 

How do we best protect ourselves from the vulnerability of Eve? 

Physically- we place boundaries around us, spiritually I know my shortcomings and so does God and so does Satan.  But by opening up our lives before the Lord and others we become approachable, others see where we fall short and are lacking.  We have scars,  but so does the Lord.  He has scars for us.  We need to be vulnerable for the Lord.  It is easy to be vulnerable with those you feel safe with.  We can feel safe with God and we trust that we are safe with other Christians.  Not judging others is so important.

Vulnerability is tied in with meekness- the definition of vulnerable is open for attack, weak.  But with God our vulnerability is invulnerable in Christ!  It is His strength that makes us invulnerable.  God gives us discernment, asking God for wisdom, he supplies it.  When we lay ourselves open and vulnerable we lay ourselves open before God, giving him all. It is who we are with that will result on how we are treated by those we are with, we need to place ourselves before God. In the garden, after they were removed, God still remained with them and their vulnerability.

It was her misunderstanding of God’s word that led her into disobedience.  Every word of God is very important. We must not misquote, misunderstand, or misinterpret God’s word.  To understand that God is the one in charge of the ministries, the church, his leading, we keep him preeminent.  

Day 4 – Why is important to pursue the knowledge of what is good without gaining the knowledge of that which is evil.

When you are soaked in the truth it is easier to spot the counterfeit.  When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, he used the word.  God’s word needs to fill our hearts and lives. 

We gain knowledge through experiences.  God takes you through things to build us.  The consequences of sin live on and hurt others, it is far better to learn through God’s good.  Like the story of Dorian Grey, the evil that comes into our lives changes us to ugliness on the inside and ultimately the evil will change the outside.  Beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone.

The ultimate picture of self, when a tennis player thought she would win the match, it was her “due”.  “She didn’t need to do much to win”.  But, her opponent, who struggled through the year by heartaches and physical ills, was the one that was triumphant.  The girl that thought she would win, walked away with her self-reliance, but the girl that won took a year of difficulty and learning with her along with the win.

Nothing is due us. We are not entitled to anything.  The first things we learn as a child, “it isn’t fair”.  But God did not promise us anything, everything that we have or get in our lives is a gift from God.  We are to be dependent on God, praising him for everything he has blessed us with.  We need to realize that God doesn’t owe us anything, we owe HIM everything.

Women in different roles, wife, mother, daughter, caretaker, etc…  We don’t think about it a lot, but we move and transition into different roles.  If we do all for Christ, it will last. It is the relationship with the Lord that lasts.  Each person at a funeral may see a different aspect of a person, but we are blessed by the people that God brings into our “family”.

Eve had generations of grandchildren, she suffered with her children’s acts, she may have rejoiced with the promise that God told her about her children.  She was human.  When we don’t repent we experience judgment, but through repentance we have repentance.  One small act of disobedience changed the world and the future of mankind.  When we sin we don’t think things through and how much does our sin impacts the world.  Every time you stop and think about something and choose to do the right thing for God you are dying to self, putting yourself last.

Just Think! We have so many more wonderful examples to go through!
Sarah is next!