The Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus - Sept 21

Women of Courage – The Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus - Sept 21

Question 1:  Of all the women in Scripture, Mary stands out above all others as being  the most blessed. What does the word blessed mean to you?

Chosen by God for a special purpose, Holy, sacred, consecrated

The word is thrown out a lot.  We are blessed because our heart beats from one moment to the next, blessed to be here.  Think of the blessings God tells us at the Sermon on the mount. God blesses us in so many ways. We often overlook the small things and even the trials.  Journaling is a great way to keep track and look back at all the blessings.  When we go through battles, if we write down the battles, our struggles, then we see how God leads us through.  We also need to look at all the good, all the little things.  An example was a woman in stage 4 cancer who praised God for the ability to clean her toilet that day.  A simple task we often overlook the privilege to accomplish.

“I must tell Jesus”…. A song that reminds us that we should go to Jesus with everything.

The angel that spoke to her, “Hail thou are highly favored”.  It wasn’t ideal circumstances, but she was willing to go through the struggles and trials for God.   The angel is telling her verbally what God thought of her.

We are just as blessed and treasured by God

Eph. 1:6 In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Question 2: What are some of the dangers that arise if Mary is elevated too much?

Anything that takes our focus off of Christ becomes an idol.  Anything.

She was human, she sinned, but chosen.  It is sad that the ways of God are always perverted and twisted by the world, but this is what spiritual wickedness continues to do.  It is always in the realm of spiritual wickedness, if we realize the origins and pray for God to help us fight the battles.  

Our power remains with God and we need to immerse ourselves in God’s word.  We need to depend on our Lord.  Although Satan cannot read our minds, we are being watched daily and those cracks are revealed.  Since our weakness is revealed, we can ask God to mind our tongues and guide our footsteps.  God protects us with His angels and provides his Holy Spirit to guide us.

We have all been blind, lost, sinners, but God through his infinite wisdom has chosen us.  We too need to have compassion on those that are not in the faith and do not know God.  We must love, even when they despise us.

To venerate or emulate – She was not to be uplifted beyond Christ, but we can learn from her life.

Question 3: Describe Mary’s early years in Nazareth:

Nazareth was a small town, in Galilee, their neighbors were Samaritan, which means, and there was idol worship nearby.  The area was similar to the area in which we live, dry, poor; there was a mountain range that Samaria was nestled in.  They were a working family.  We knew that Joseph was a tradesman.  There may have been a trade route either near or going through the town.  They had access to the Sea of Galilee.  Rome was in control over the area.  How sweet that God chose that area and that time for his Son to come to us.  

Women of Courage – The Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus

Women of Courage – The Study of Mary, the mother of Jesus

We have heard about Mary in our Christian lives.  She is mentioned at Christmas and Easter.  She is revered by many non-Christians included.  Will be offended by the true doctrine of the Bible as we dig deep within God’s word?  She was just like us, no different.  We are changing our perspective and focus from the men in our study, to the intimate look at these women. 

Our study now leads us into the New Testament women.  We have studied all Old Testament women and this study will transition us into those women of the New Testament.

We read from Luke 1 to Luke 2:52, highlighting all the passages that Mary was mentioned. Then we looked at the map of the areas where they would have traveled and lived.

Looking at Luke 1:28

Favored-(charis -Greek)  or blessed (eulogeo- Greek) means to speak well of or praise.  It has been debated by some versions of the Bible as to whether or not it should be included in the verse.

We also looked at the Marian Dogma ( Popes only have this power, and somewhere in the last 2000 years has declared this as greater than the word of God). They have many dogmas and 4 of them are related to Mary.  1^st in 431 AD she was given the title Mother of God.  We took believe that she was the mother of Jesus.  The second one in AD 649 was her perpetual virginity.  We split in agreement at this point.  She had other children.  3^rd the immaculate conception in 1854, (that she was conceive without sin like Jesus was (We do not believe this, she was human not divine).  4^th in 1950 the assumption of Mary (they don’t believe that she died, but that at her last breath she was removed from the earth without experiencing any decay).  They are pressing for the newest dogma – the co-redeemer and co-mediator.

This has not been instituted, but they have millions of signatures that express the desire for this.  This morning Shera looked at the news – Pope Francis is asking the world not to go to war, and in that there is a statement about the Pope declaring a day of fasting and prayer for Syria. They are asking Mary to help them respond to the situation.  When they institute this dogma, they state that she will usher in the new Pentecost and the new arrival of the Holy Spirit.  

Macarthur said in one sermon:  Mary is mentioned more in the Koran than in the Bible.  Satan makes more of Mary leading others into the corruption of worship. 

We are looking to our God, our Lord, as he leads us through these days preceding the coming of our Lord.   All the more, we should be on our knees, praying and praising our true redeemer and God’s plan in these last days.  Stay strong; be in God’s word, ever vigilant.    The true church, the remnant, must be bold in their walk and strong in our faith.

Hannah concludes

Women of Courage – Aug. 17, 2013

Question 3- Samuel 1:4-5 Elkanah gave one portion of offering to Peninnah and all her sons and daughters, and a double portion to Hannah. What emotional difficulties in Elkanah’s family might have grown from this discrepancy?

Bitterness, envy, competition.  Even if Elkanah had been totally fair and no favoritism existed, there still would have been the propensity to have a skewed image of the relationships and feel slighted. Both women wanted what the other possessed. Both women weren’t thankful for the blessings they had.

What damage is caused by expressions of favoritism in a family.

Favoritism has been an issue to mess up relationships. There are many examples of this in the pages of scripture.  Did the double portion Hannah received bring her distress, knowing that she was the favorite?

Jan brought out Genesis 4:3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

We have the same concerns in our homes. We have to pray daily that we don’t have favoritism, pride, bitterness, envy…… and the list could go on.  We must pray daily and walk in righteousness.  God will help us.

Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We had conversation on the process of our prayers, how it is different to each of us.  Some write their prayers, some are uttered out loud, but each is personal and God uses our prayers to lead us in line with him.  A prayer journal helps us to see how God answers our prayers and how we have changed over the years.   A journal becomes a precious treasure to others.

George Washington kept journals of prayer and they have become a treasure to Christians today, knowing how our forefathers have prayed.

Question 4- Read 1 Samuel 1:18 ¹⁸ And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

and Psalm 55:22 22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

 and 1 Peter5:6-7   6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 In what ways was Hannah’s reply to the high priest Eli an expression of faith?

Hannah totally surrendered her heart toward God in her prayer.  She wasn’t concerned with her appearance or the circumstances around her at the time.  She was trusting in her merciful and just God.  She was given and found peace when she finished her prayer. 

We don’t know how God is going to work, but we must trust God for the right answers.

Question 5-  1 Samuel 2: 1-10 list the key words and phrases in Hannah’s prayer.

And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;
    my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in your salvation.

² “There is none holy like the Lord:
    for there is none besides you;
    there is no rock like our God.
³ Talk no more so very proudly,
    let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
    and by him actions are weighed.
⁴ The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble bind on strength.
⁵ Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.
⁶ The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
⁷ The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low and he exalts.
⁸ He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
    and on them he has set the world.

⁹ “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
    but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
    for not by might shall a man prevail.
¹⁰ The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
    against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    he will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Gratitude fills our heart toward the Lord for who he is!

We took this prayer by verse and expressed our praise to God for his attributes!

Question 6:  Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.   What is involve in training a child? 

To dedicate and devote a child to God totally.  We model to them the attributes, practice, and devotion to God and our children and grandchildren learn.  

 

Our study of Hannah has made us realize that Hannah learned to depend upon God in all the circumstances of her life.  We too must turn to God through our walk.

Women of Courage – Aug. 3, 2013

Women of Courage – Aug. 3, 2013

Question 8-  Describe Hannah’s ongoing relationship with Samuel after she gave him to fulltime service at the tabernacle.

She was focused on the limited time that she would have him with her.  She was no more or less his mother; she was still committed to spending time with him.  She was faithful to her promise to God and to keeping him pure as a Nazarite.  God took care of Samuel and the influences in his life.  Hannah, most likely, told him that he had been set apart and was a special gift to God.  We too have been set apart for God and need to realize that He has control of the circumstances in our lives.  We need to lean upon God and his promises, trusting our steps to Him.  We shouldn’t let outside influences keep us from serving our God.  We trust God’s timing, knowing He will direct us, give us strength, and give us peace.

Question 9 –In what ways was Hannah rewarded for her gift of Samuel to the Lord’s service?

She yearly saw his growth in the Lord. He was called as a young man by the Lord and served him throughout his lifetime.  She had more children and a very godly son.  Her husband supported her and she lost the shame of being childless.  She was blessed physically, emotionally, spiritually (having a part in the service of one of Israel’s spiritual leaders).  We hope that she experienced the revival of Israel. 

It isn’t the quantity of time but the quality of time with our children.

Bible connections: 

Question one:  Read 1 Samuel 1:7 and Numbers 18:24-32. What brought Hannah year by year to the house of the Lord?

1 Samuel 1:7

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

²⁴ For the tithe of the people of Israel, which they present as a contribution to the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel.”

²⁵ And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ²⁶ “Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, ‘When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe. ²⁷ And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. ²⁸ So you shall also present a contribution to the Lord from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel. And from it you shall give the Lord's contribution to Aaron the priest. ²⁹ Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the Lord; from each its best part is to be dedicated.’ ³⁰ Therefore you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be counted to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the winepress. ³¹ And you may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting. ³² And you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have contributed the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy things of the people of Israel, lest you die.’”

They were Levites; they were responsible for their tithe and needed to go to the house of meeting for the responsibilities of their tribe. She went as her husband performed his service and worship.  She was obedient to God.  She was faithful in her worship and relationship to God.  

We had a discussion about not feeling like doing God’s will, not going to church, etc.  But if we are faithful to doing what God commands we are greatly rewarded and blessed.  Hannah had learned early in her own life to depend on God and follow his commands no matter what!

Deut. 16- describes some of the feasts and their worship.

Question two: Read 1 Samuel 1:3 and 1 Samuel 2:13-24

1 Samuel 1:3

English Standard Version (ESV)

³ Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:13-24

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹³ The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, ¹⁴ and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. ¹⁵ Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw.” ¹⁶ And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” ¹⁷ Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.

¹⁸ Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. ¹⁹ And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. ²⁰ Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord give you children by this woman for the petition she asked of the Lord.” So then they would return to their home.

²¹ Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.

²² Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ²³ And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. ²⁴ No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad.

In addition to the bad behavior of the high priest’s sons, the visible manifestation of God’s glory was long gone from the tabernacle. What emotions did Hannah and others in her family likely have as they made their annual trip to the tabernacle?

The fact that God set them aside for destruction is hard to bear.  Hannah and her family were probably very upset over the circumstances.  But they were faithful

Concern, anger, doubt were at the forefront, but this lead them to greater faith in God.  What are we doing with the obstacles that are in our way? Are we being faithful in our daily walk, every day is our battlefield.  Keep going to the Lord even when don’t see him the way that we want. There are battles everywhere, every day.

Hannah most likely experienced some sadness every time she walked away and left her son behind.  But she trusted.  God is so much bigger than our choices and our thoughts.  It is easy for us to fall into worry and concern as women, but we must realize that God is in charge of all things and His ways are perfect.  We must daily learn to walk in trust giving God the glory.

Women of Courage – June 15, 2013 Hannah

Women of Courage – June 15, 2013

Hannah Continues:

Question 6 Hannah’s prayer life – describe her prayer life, specifically her prayer at the door of the tabernacle.

She beseeched the Lord, intense pleading before her Lord.  She had a relationship with God and she knew that he would hear her and answer her prayers.  She was mature in her relationship with God, it was personal to her.  Perhaps she had to come to a sanctification step that allowed this prayer to be answered at this time.  This is the prayer that she made her vow to God.  She didn’t know for certain when she arose in joy that she would have this child, but she had trust in God.  She was real, honest, and direct in her prayers and was in joy with her relationship with God, even if the answer would be no or she could have felt God’s answer at that moment.  And when she did have Samuel, she kept her vow.  Unlike many of us that often make vows but break them.

We looked again at Numbers 30, Numbers 6:1-6, and Judges 13:1-5 the vows that can be made.  Samuel was placed into the position as a Nasserite from birth and was placed into the Lord’s service, not because HE chose it, but because of the vow of his mother.  We looked again at what this vow would entail.  Hannah would most likely know what this vow would involve.

Her husband kept her vow too, not stopping her vow. God made provision for the women under their father or husband. 

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 Don’t make a vow unless you are determined to keep them.

When Hannah is talking about her affliction in verse 11 she was being contrite and unshaken. Hannah requested special attention from God.  It was an intimate moment.

Question 7 moves us into her second prayer. What traits of God did Hannah include in her prayer of praise?  1 Samuel 2

She referred to God for the first time as the LORD OF HOSTS – which includes the angels and the saints from all times.   

We wanted to come back to this prayer next time. WE then closed in prayer.

Hannah Continues- June 1

Women of Courage – June 1, 2013

Hannah continues

Question 4 - What were the three great loves of Hannah’s life (review)?

We have to be careful not to put other things before God. Hannah proved that her priorities were right by giving Samuel back to the Lord. Her prayer for a son exemplified this desire to do God’s will.

We talked for quite a while on the importance of forgiving our families, especially our mothers, and on the influence mothers have on their children.

Question 5 – Why did Hannah long to have a son?

Many reasons – to have someone to care for her in her old age, to be able to dedicate him to the Lord for spiritual service, even the remote possibility of giving birth to the Messiah. Hannah was asking to be a vessel that God could use. She was so brave, giving up her son at such a young age, and having to leave him with Eli every year when she went to visit him. She didn’t want to have a son for personal gratification, but to serve God.

God planned to give Samuel to Hannah all along, but He wanted Hannah to get to the point where she was broken and would give him back to God for His service.

Hannah continues

 Women of Courage- May 4, 2013

Hannah continues

Question 3- Based on what scripture says, describe the outset of Hannah’s life?

She was not in the genealogy of Christ, but she was in the Levitical line and she understood and longed for the savior.  She had an unhappy life for a part of her life.  She lived in a troubled time in Israel’s history, one of the worst. Samuel brought the country from the worst to Israel’s best.  She had an intimate relationship with the Lord, understanding her help came from him.  She considered herself a servant of the Lord.  She left her burdens at God’s feet; she took her eyes away from the world and depended upon God to take her through.  It isn’t an easy walk.

The Lord of Hosts- It is all the warrior bands of the Lord, God’s sovereignty over it all.  It isn’t about being meek or mild; Hannah understood the power of the Lord.  She placed her entire trust in Him.   Very much like Deborah, being called to help Israel through the battles.  We as Christians realize that nothing happens by chance.  If we walk in the spirit we realize that everything in our lives is there for a purpose.  When we realize this, we stay in constant communication with our Lord. 

Then we had several examples of times when the Lord has supplied needs when we haven’t even prayed about certain things.  This then brought to mind Robert Muller, the man who prayed. He had a ministry in which he had to depend upon the Lord daily.  His orphanage was provide

Psalm 141

141 O Lord, I call upon You; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to You!
² May my prayer be counted as incense before You;
The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.
³ Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Revelation 5:8 ⁸ When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Her human side seems unbearable, but her spiritual life gives her strength. 

Question 4- What were the three great loves of Hannah’s life:

The Lord, her husband and then her son, and her nation were her love.  She put her trust in God foremost.  Her husband didn’t correct the tension in the home, so Hannah learned to trust more and more in the Lord.  Her deepest desire to have a son, she would sacrifice back to the Lord.  These things in her life and our lives are planned by God.  She needed to go through all the heartache in order to draw closer to God.  When we go through things it is for God’s purpose and His glory.  Praise God that all things work for the good.  It is difficult for us to look at the good and not retaliate against those that wrong us.  We have to trust God and God will supply strength to us.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Eli was not focused on God; he was not in communion with God and focused on the wrath of God.  It is easy to focus on the world and get caught up in the things of the world.  Think about our own life and realize your walk.  We are expected to follow God. We need to be in prayer, fellowship with the saints, and reading his word daily.  We praise God for his mercy and faithfulness in all things.