Women of Courage- Lydia June 20, 2015

Women of Courage- Lydia  June 20, 2015

Philippians 3 – What it is to have the mind of Christ

Shera handed out a summary from a book written by John MacArthur. In the first paragraph was a portion of John Bunyan’s allegory from “The Holy War”.  It speaks of how Satan continues to assault us to turn us from God.  He often does this in ways that seem pleasing to us.  

We returned to Philippians 1:27-2:5

²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. ²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ³⁰ Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

And how do we keep this mind:  Eph. 6:10-20  The full armor of God!

The breastplate covered the vital areas. The soldier needed to protect that area since much of their fighting was hand to hand, face to face.

Prov. 23:7;  The mind and emotions encompass everything that causes a person to act: one’s knowledge, understanding, conscience, will, desires, and drives.

Self-righteousness- Satan has people believe they are going to heaven because of their good deeds.  Luke 18:9-14 How many times have we thought like this Pharisee! Luke 15:21-32  The prodigal son. He was self-righteous as well.  Mark 10:35-45 and Matt 20:20-28 – there was even self-righteousness within the apostles.  The ten were very displeased with the request of John and James. Deluded – to deceive to fool, to thin it down. 

Just like the fool in Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

1 Peter 4:1-5 If we are paying attention to Satan we will be deluded.  They were listening to the wrong voice.  How quickly it can happen when we don’t pay attention to God’s truth.  What are we paying attention to?  Especially when we are alone! Are we the same behind closed doors? Are we stopping the conversations that aren’t right or are we going to continue down that path? But we need to be careful not to fall into self-righteousness!

Imputed Righteousness – is the righteousness from Christ, which gives us the victory over death and eternity with Christ

Practical Righteousness – is righteousness that assures you of ultimate victory over Satan, which allows us to win the daily skirmishes.  Philippians 3:4-16

¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Satan will always look for the weakness in a believer’s armor. He will exploit whatever weakness he finds.  Sometimes self-love blinds us, but another, a true companion, will dare to speak out for you, to bring you back to the sure walk, to keep our heart and our walk in the truth.

Romans 13:11-14  Live holy and be willing to hear the truth about yourself.


Isaiah 59:14-17  ;  Romans 13:11-14;  2 Tim 4:7-8
Keeping our armor on and fighting the good fight.

Lydia - June 6 study

Women of Courage- Lydia  June 6, 2015

We began by discussing the blog notes from last week and encouraged all to review them before coming to the study.  We would be reading from the new King James Version.  Philippians 2:9-11.  Then we went back to read more context from chp 1:27-3:17.  As we read we highlighted the names and pronouns of Jesus, God and Spirit.

Phil 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 

Chp2:1-8  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Chp 3:15-17 ¹⁵ Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. ¹⁷ Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.



These passages are all concerned with unity.  Where is the like mind from?  Look again at 3:15



as many that are mature,

Hosea 14:9    Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent? (discerning)
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.

have this mind,

John 15: 14-15   You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (Jesus is inviting us in as family, but they must follow his commands)

and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to  you

Hosea 6:3 Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.



James 1:5-6 ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.



James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.



The world today doesn’t really consider the spiritual, but the evil within the world is subtle in its influence and many embrace those influences.  The evil infiltrates our homes and influences our children.  What we might think as innocent in influence, if it has dark spiritual undertones, what are we saying in our acceptance.



Philippians 2:5 ⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

When he is talking about the unity, let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.  The word mind (from Strongs) means to exercise the mind (train it); to entertain or have a sentiment or opinion.  It is our responsibility to exercise the mind (train it) to follow the ways of Christ.  To be mentally disposed earnestly in a certain direction (it will be difficult at times) .to interest oneself in (with concern to obedience) and set affection on the mind or regard of the mind of our Savior.



John 15:14-16  ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I 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 remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another.



We are going to be obedient to Christ or we will fall to obedience to Satan. 



Matthew 16:13-23 ¹³ When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” ¹⁴ So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. ²¹ From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. ²² Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” ²³ But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”



The word mindful is the same word.  Peter was choosing, being influenced by, the things of Satan and not God. How quickly we can change in our view, following God at one time and then being influenced by the world and Satan in the next thought.   Where is our focus?  We need to realize where our focus is and pray for God to keep our thoughts captive.



2 Corinthians 10:5   (KJV) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ⁶ And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.



Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ 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. ⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.



It is a battle and we need to be strong in that battle. We may not agree with everything, but we need to be unified and stand firm. We should not be passive! A diplomat that wants peace works hard to bring the people involved to the table to reach agreement.  It takes a lot to get to that peace.  Action is demanded in striving for unity.  The two words in Philippians 4 – the true companion, God wants us to be the true companion.  We need to keep our minds focused on Christ, take action to be busy for God, to do his will.



Next time we will focus on the unity of believers.

Lydia and the Philippian church - May 16

We began by having a brief review of what has been discussed in previous study about Lydia.  Then we read Philippians 1:27- chp.2 and Acts 16: 14-15.
We talked about how these women who were being drawn by God and then experienced His salvation. They grabbed onto His salvation and continued steadfast in the faith. Paul's greeting shows this in verses 1-7.  They had truly grown in the faith ad Paul mentions that God would complete what he has started in their lives.

"The joy is the flag flying high from the castle of my heart because Jesus is in residence there"

In verse 27  "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ"

This worthiness is based on the moments in our life, our integrity. Believers are to have integrity! And do we really know what the Gospel is??

This lead us to study the various passages that mention the Gospel:

The Gospel of God:
   Romans 1:1    1 Thess. 2:2,9    1 Tim. 1:11
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
   Romans 1:16,  15:19     1 Cor. 9:12, 18     Gal. 1:7
The Gospel of the Grace of God
   Acts 20:24   Eph. 6:15 (Gospel of Peace)   Eph. 1:13-14 (Gospel of Salvation)  2 Cor. 4:4 Glorious    Gospel

So what is the Gospel?  It is all the Gospel of Christ!  He is the subject, the object, the life of it!  The full word of God contains it!

Matt. 4:23  The Gospel of the Kingdom
Matt. 11:5   Mark 1:4  Luke 4:18

This Gospel was preached by Christ and the Apostles and Prophets. And God calls men to proclaim his word still.
Acts 16:10   Romans 1:15   2:16   1Cor. 9:16   Acts 8:25

They were striving together for the faith of the Gospel.  We need to do the same.  There is so much that draws us away from the Gospel of Christ.  When we grumble our light isn't shining. Praise God we don't have to walk alone!  He is with us and gives us other believers to lift us in our spirit and to exhort us in His word.

vs 27- That we stand steadfast!

Pro 23:23  Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

When we give "our" advice without using God's word we are selling the truth.  His word is more precious than any other word or thing. Nothing is of more value!

We discussed how God's salvation is a precious gift and how some people think there must be more cost from them to receive it, but they forget that there was a tremendous cost! We must lose what we consider precious in this world and look for the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 

vs. 29 For to you it has been GRANTED

Php 1:29  For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 

Php 1:30  engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. 

We only have one life and by the suffering we may go through, glory might come to Him.  We don't know how God's plans will be fulfilled in us and from us to others.

Mat 16:24  Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Mat 16:25  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mat 16:26  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

There is nothing more we can do. The price has been paid and it was costly. Praise God for His Gospel and His work on the cross for our salvation.  He deserves our praise and adoration, our total devotion and our complete surrender to His will.  Where is your heart today?

Women of Courage- Lydia May 2, 2015

We began with a review of where we have been in our study of Lydia.  We looked at how God has used men and women in the past to reach the lost and the price they had to pay.  It was not an easy road;  God never promised an easy path never your best life now.  It is a hard, difficult, but rewarding journey.

 We read and compared Bible versions in reading Phil. 1:1-2:4.  John MacArthur’s notes state that Philippians is an Epistle of Joy! Biblical joy consists of the deep and abiding confidence that all is well regardless of circumstances and difficulty. It is something very different from worldly happiness.  Biblical joy is always related to God and belongs only to those in Christ. It is the permanent possession of every believer – not a whimsical delight that comes and goes as chance offers it opportunity.

A good definition of joy is this: it’s the flag that flies on the castle of the heart when the King is in residence. Only Christians can know true and lasting joy. (then we were entertained by a video of the song “the flag that flies on the castle of the heart…”)

We may not always display our joy. There are times of sadness and trial.  But we go through things differently when we have Christ. It is that that is the joy that keeps us going.  It is a deep and abiding confidence that all is well regardless of circumstance and difficulty.

Philippians 1: 24-28

²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.



Paul was so impressed by their joy through trials.  WE represent the “flag of joy” or any other of the fruits of the spirit.  We need to remember God is in control!  We may have moments where we falter, but we don’t stay there.  WE return to our hope.



Romans 8:25

²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (and patience too)

Christian joy is a gift from God to those that believe the Gospel, with more than words!!  Well yeah!



Again Romans 8: 24-25

²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.



Then looking at the beginning of Philippians - To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, Shera brought a definition from the ISBE.



Saints- There are 3 words in the Bible for saints. They have the definition meaning consecration and divine claim, set apart.  We are God’s people.  When God consecrates and claims moral beings for Himself and His service, He demands that they should go on to be fit for and worthy of the relation in which He has placed them.


Every word in the word is the Word of God- Directed and inspired.

Acts 16:14-15

¹⁴ Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. ¹⁵ And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

WE looked at the describing words about Lydia.  We discussed what they told us about her.  WE also looked at the difference in the definition of worship in this passage and the one in John.  Her knowledge of worship was not as deep as true worship.  She was being called, but until she heard the Gospel message, she then came to know the Lord fully.

 

Women of Courage- Lydia April 4

Women of Courage- Lydia  April 4

1. How would you describe Lydia to a friend that had never read about her in the Bible:
   Acts 16:14 describes her exactly, plus she was hospitable, had a servant’s heart and she was brave.
   “The manner of Lydia’s conversion is a fine illustration of how God always redeems lost souls”
   Lydia wanted to be with the group at the river that had the moral ideals that she was looking for.  They weren’t following the local gods, but looking toward Yahweh.
    
   Shera told us about reading about the men that had been in killed in Ecuador as missionaries. But they took the risk for a chance to make friendly contact with the Huaorani (Auca) Indians. Missionaries Ed McCulley, Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian How God had directed them and their past training.  She filled us in on the things they did to reach these people.  After their death, 3 of their wives went back into these people and they were able to reach them for Christ.  They moved there with their families.  Among the men that killed these missionaries, they eventually came to America and spoke at Billy Graham’s Crusades; one became the pastor of the church there in Ecuador.   She mentioned that like Paul, they did not know what the trip would bring them.  And actually, Paul did suffer at the hands of men in Philippi.  We must be willing to step out and proclaim the Gospel with boldness as God leads us.
    
   This discussion of how missionaries lives are totally committed to serving Christ led us to discuss how God may not lead us to be missionaries in another country, but God can lead us to even be faithful in small things.   We need to always be faithful to proclaiming the Lord to others.  Simply- “ I AM A PART OF THE GREAT COMMISSION!”
    
   Romans 3:11- There is none that understands, there is none that seeks God.  
   God is the one that changes hearts and leads us to repentance.  God has a perfect plan in action and we are a part of that plan.  This plan has always been the same, it has never changed- Heb. 13:8.

 John 8:58King James Version (KJV)  58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Genesis  22:13 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. 15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

God has not changed.  As he promised to Abraham that nations would be blessed because he obeyed God’s voice, we are a part of that promise.   We are here worshipping God, because He called us. 

We read Psalm 22 and discussed the suffering of Christ both physically and spiritually and how the disciple died for the spread of the gospel.  

A reminder, to read Philippians as we will be discussing the first chapter when we meet next time.  There will not be a meeting on the 18^th due to the work day. 

Women of Courage- Lydia

Women of Courage- Lydia 

We began by reading Acts 16:1-40.  Shera supplied us all with maps and images of the journeys and areas where they met. We looked at the journeys of Paul and the cities they visited. Shera explained the history behind these areas and the roads they would have used in the area.  She shared images of the river that runs on the west side of Philippi and the Greek and Roman ruins in the area.   God’s sovereignty is over all the area, the politics, and the people of the areas.  We have hopes that men will stand strong in the words of the Lord.  The whole land mass of Asia Minor is now Turkey.  Greece is the other side of the peninsula – Europe.  It is the political structure and God’s direction that has spread God’s word putting us into where God has led us today.  Paul exercising his political rights while following the Lord in his walk.  

Lydia was from Asia Minor, a seller of purple goods, head of her household and desirous of following the Lord.  She was meeting with the local Jewish women in prayer at the river.  They met on the Sabbath. 

Paul was followed by this girl with the spirit of divination, annoyed by the spiritual wickedness that once again tried to influence those around them.  Paul gets fed up and asks the spirits to come out of her.  We do not know if she was saved through this . 


We then began a discussion of salvation and our part in spreading God's gospel and our obedience.

It was suggested that we read the book of Philippians for the next time we meet and read some of the cross references too.

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene – Mar. 7 conclusion

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene – Mar. 7

 Question 4 in Bible connections:

Matthew 11:25-30

 ²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.^{[g] 27} All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We are looking at the spiritual recognition that He is sovereign over us .  Shera discussed the types of yokes that have been used, the double yoke for training; the single yoke for the master to lead; the human yoke that wraps around shoulders and must be a balanced load in order to carry it.  What are the possibilities of the type of yoke we are discussing?  The yoke being our subjection to the Lord, devoted and surrendered.   Having a life of obedience and having the discernment to know the will of God is the yoke we should have.  

Every woman we have studied is similar in their place of obedience.  It was the Lord’s direction in their lives that revealed the truth.  The complete opposite of that is revealed in Jeremiah 6:16

Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
    and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
    and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

We sometimes don’t recognize the yoke we should be walking with.  It is often that we take our eyes off of the Lord and our hearts travel the wrong direction.  We long to see the world yoked back to God.

Matthew 11- the only self-description of Christ in the scriptures: , for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

If we take up His yoke it will be as he has described, we will find rest for our souls.  But, it is work.  We will not learn by just sitting.  We need to be teachable, letting God work through you, to have an open heart and open mind, making sure we are learning the truth, meditating upon His words and communing with him in prayer.  We tend to struggle against giving him all.  We must desire to delight ourselves in Him, to “beat our bodies into subjection” taking up the yoke, keeping connected to the Lord, abiding in Him.

Question 5 John 20:1-13  Shera went to verse 18.

Staci mentioned that the disciples left her there as they went home.  She may not have been able to keep up with the disciples.  She remained and was the first of many that would see the Lord.  WE need to be careful not to be callous of heart.

Vs. 8 – the disciple saw and vs. 9 they did not know the scripture, and vs. 13  know ( the recognition of something)  but when they believed they understood all the words of the Lord.  We have to recognize and experience the words of the Lord as well.

Question 6 : John 10:3-5

³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Mary recognized his voice, she followed in obedience.  He called her out of the demonic influence and she remained obedient and following.   Jesus said to her in John 20

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,^[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

So many had followed Christ, but at his crucifixion there were so few that stood with him.  The same is true today, the remnant can be very small.  Are the people that turn away and leave saying the words from Jeremiah 6:16.  We must remain steadfast in our walk.   WE need to hold together and so much the more as we see the end approaching.  We have to fight the current of the world that is trying to lead us away from the things of God.  We need to put the things of the Lord first and the things of the world last.


2 Thessalonians 3: 1-5

 Finally, brothers,^[a] pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,^[b] as happened among you, ² and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.^{[c] 4} And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene Feb. 21

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene  Feb. 21

Bible Connections

Luke 11:24-26

²⁴ “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

WE are imperfect and need something far better than ourselves to reform, the only perfect is Jesus.  We often deceive ourselves, thinking we are better than what we really are or stronger than we are.  WE need to pray to God to help us.  WE fall short.  There is NO self-reform.  Self-reform is a deception.  Unless God cleans the house, we are too weak to withstand demonic powers.  They will undermine what mortals might do, only God can truly cure.

Phil. 2:12-13

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Malachi 3- For he is like a refiner’s fire and a fuller’s soap – He will purify

#2 Isaiah 64:3-8 and Jeremiah 13:22-25

3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
    you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
⁴ From of old no one has heard
    or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
    who acts for those who wait for him.
⁵ You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,
    those who remember you in your ways.
Behold, you were angry, and we sinned;
    in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?^[b]
6 We have all become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
    and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
⁷ There is no one who calls upon your name,
    who rouses himself to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
    and have made us melt in^[c] the hand of our iniquities.

⁸ But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.

22And if you say in your heart,
    ‘Why have these things come upon me?’
it is for the greatness of your iniquity
    that your skirts are lifted up
    and you suffer violence.
²³ Can the Ethiopian change his skin
    or the leopard his spots?
Then also you can do good
    who are accustomed to do evil.
²⁴ I will scatter you^[a] like chaff
    driven by the wind from the desert.
²⁵ This is your lot,
    the portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord,
because you have forgotten me
    and trusted in lies.

 Psalm 139

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
¹² even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

God is with us, he walks us through darkness because it is as the light to him.  His path is sure, he holds us.  We need to trust and depend upon Him.

Jeremiah 17

9The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?
¹⁰ “I the Lord search the heart
    and test the mind,^[b]
to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.

The philosophy of the world is “follow your heart”, but that is a deception, our hearts are wicked.  We all want to avoid the fact that we are wicked, but the truth is that only God can help us and change our hearts.

Psalm 119:29   Put false ways far from me (the course of life the mode of action)
    and graciously teach me your law!

WE work out our sanctification, purging our sins and learning to depend upon the Lord.

#3  2 Peter2:9

⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,^[d] and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially those who indulge^[e] in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

1 Peter 2:9

 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

2 Cor. 4:6

⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We have been called and chosen.  A holy nation, His possession, so that we would be the proclaimers of his glory

Malachi 2: 16-18

¹⁶ Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. ¹⁷ “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. ¹⁸ Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

We can sense the pride that God has in his children- they shall be mine and they are my treasured possession.

Deut. 32: 8-9

When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
    when he divided mankind,
he fixed the borders^[a] of the peoples
    according to the number of the sons of God.^[b]
9 But the Lord's portion is his people,
    Jacob his allotted heritage.

God selected a small section of the entire population to be his.  It is the same today.  He calls his few to follow him.

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene Jan 17

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene  Jan 17

We began with Shera giving us a historical background on the grand jury. The grand jury, based on the Magna Carta,  is the shield and the sword of the people. It is the last bastion of justice and protection for our land.  (Deut. 25: 1)

 She mentioned that we were, in a sense, looking at Mary Magdalene giving her the justice, ferreting out the truth.

Luke 8:1-3

We then looked at a portion of John MacArthur’s book “One perfect Life” Chap. 192-201, where it describes the first three hours on the cross.  Mary was there this whole time, watching the events as they happened.

With this reading there was much discussion about the words from the Gospels and how they spoke to our hearts.

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene Jan 3

Women of Courage- Mary Magdalene  Jan 3

We reflected on the women we have studied in the past and how Satan had been an influence on them.  How easily it is to take our eyes off of the Lord and we need to walk carefully in keeping our eyes focused on Him.  Shera stated that this study would be a very important study.

Question #1-  What have you discovered about her that you thought you knew but truly did not know? There is only one place that is written about her. 

Her demon possession may have been lost in our thoughts about her. Some were surprised that she was NOT the one that washed Jesus’s feet with tears or the adulterous woman or some of the other assumptions that have been taught.

Pg. 173-  At the top of the page- “What Scripture actually says about here is extraordinary enough without any false embellishment.  Let’s not allow this truly remarkable woman to get lost in the fog of ancient heretics.”

Eph. 6:10-20    The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Our prayers should be for one another to put on the whole armor so that we don’t miss one piece of the armor. Warren Wiersbe made a statement, “Christ invaded Satan’s kingdom when he came to earth as a man…”

Satan works to make Christians complacent and lazy. We no longer realize that we are in a battle, we need to move forward for the cause of Christ.

2 Tim 2: 22-26

²² So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ²⁵ correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.