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Showing posts with label Scripture Study. Show all posts

I don't know about you, but often, when I read Scripture, I find myself in awe of the humble, compassionate and God-honoring responses and behaviors of the saints of old. I am often moved to repent after being exposed to the glaring truth that I would have never said or done the same things. Then I pray that the Lord would give me a more Christ-glorifying and genuinely loving heart that seeks God's will to be done and His name to be exalted instead of mine.

This happened during my reading of the Word today. While I was reading in Numbers 14 (which I've read a million times before, but never saw it this way), I was stunned by verses 11-19 and my reading came to a screeching halt as I repented of the truth I was faced with: I would have never responded the same way if I were in Moses's sandals. If God would have told me He was fed up all the whining, complaining and rebellion of a group of people I was well-acquainted with and therefore was going to destroy them all and start all over with me and my family, I ashamedly must admit; I would have not interceded for them.

No, rather than intercede on behalf of a bunch of half-hearted, ungrateful, idolatrous and selfish people, I would have burst with joy that the Lord was going to relieve me of being in relationship with these people. Then I would've thanked God for honoring me and my family. I would be glad to be rid of people who meander towards obedience to the LORD. I would have been most thankful to no longer have to endure their petty arguments and concede to their weak human need to have some comforts in this world. Oh how delighted I would be if I were in Moses sandals! But thanks be to God that I was not, because that was most certainly not the most gracious, compassionate and Christ-like response.

Unlike me, Moses was not elated to find out he might finally be rid of these people who repeatedly grumbled against God and him. No, Moses held not grudges. Moses was not bitter. Moses did not seek to further his own kingdom, agenda or ministry. Moses didn't get lost in the doing of ministry so that he forgot the God and people He was called to love and serve. No, Moses remembered what Mary so tightly held onto in Luke 10:39. Moses lived at the foot of his Master, which kept him humble and consumed with God's glory and pleasure in all things.

Rather than feel honored that God would wipe out an entire group of people undeserving of God's grace, and start all over with him and his family, Moses lamented over the thought that God's name might be reviled. Rather than rejoice in self-exaltation, Moses' thoughts were only for God's glory. And that's where I need to always be.

So today, I'm thanking God for His mercy and grace upon me—an undeserving recipient of His love. I am often appalled when I read Old Testament accounts of Israel's rebellion against God, or even Eve's rebellion in a perfect world...literally. But when I survey that wondrous Cross in which my Savior died for me, all I can conclude is that if I were Eve I would've eaten of the forbidden fruit faster than she did. And if I were an Israelite, I wouldn't have vacillated between obedience to rebellion, I would've remained in the latter.

I am grateful that God is more compassionate than I. And I am grateful that in Christ, I can be all that God commands me to be.

The first week of April 2014, my darling husband Jim shared something on Facebook that really peaked my interest. He posted the Bible study, Scripture memory and reading methods of A.W. Pink. After reading it, I was a bit hesitant, but printed it out and desired to do the same.

"In my early years I assiduously followed this threefold course:

"First, I read through the entire Bible three times a year (eight chapters in the Old Testament, and two in the New Testament daily.) I steadily persevered in this for ten years, in order to familiarize myself with its contents, which can only be done by consecutive reading.

"Second, I studied a portion of the Bible each week, concentrating for ten minutes (or more) each day on the same passage, pondering the order of it, the connection between each statement, seeking a definition of the important terms in it, looking up all the marginal references, being on the look-out for its typical significance.

"Third, I meditated on one verse each day; writing it out on a slip of paper in the morning, memorizing it, consulting it at odd moments through the day; pondering separately each word in it, asking God to open for me its spiritual meaning and to write it on my heart. The verse was my food for that day, meditation standing to reading as mastication does to eating.

"The more some such method as the above be followed out, the more shall we be able to say, ‘thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path’ [Ps 119:105].”

~Arthur Pink, Letters of A.W. Pink

I was hesitant because I'm a slow reader and wasn't sure I could actually complete step one daily. I already do steps two and three, so that was no problem. But step one loomed over me. So I decided to test the waters and timed myself during my first initial readings before I committed myself to this seemingly arduous task.

To my surprise, I discovered it only took me anywhere from 30-45 minutes to read 10 chapters of Scripture per day. I was ashamed because as I considered the short time span, instantly my mind went to all the old movies I like to watch (approximately two hours long), the collective time I spend on social media throughout the day, the "breaks" I take and well, other "projects" I take on (that I don't need to) and...you get the picture. I have more than enough time in every day to spend in my Lord's Word.

Well, almost exactly a month later, I must admit, I've not been as diligent as I had hoped. However, I continue to press on, praying and asking God to help me better manage my time and especially my rebellious attitude toward daily Bible reading. I know it may sound a bit strange to hear a women's Bible teacher say she struggles to read the Bible daily, but I do.

"Blessed is the man [person] who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law [instruction] of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."

~Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV)

As much as I love the Word of God, I have at times, given into my sinful flesh and do not feed off of God's Word as I ought. I know I should, and I always love it when I do (because who doesn't feel better after a good meal...especially from the Lord's table)? But I find myself with the same battle the Apostle Paul writes of in Romans 7:18-24. And like the Apostle, though wrangling with this flesh, I rejoice saying, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" who alone has freed me and given me victory over the desires of this wretched flesh.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

~Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)

So in my time of need, as I am tempted to do something else besides feed from my Lord Jesus, the Word of God, I thank God for His Holy Spirit who reminds me that I can confidently pray, knowing I will receive help and be able stand up from under this temptation (1 Cor 10:13).

With this hope, I press on without guilt of missed chapters or a missed day, but also without glibly thanking God for help, then misapply His grace as an excuse to continue sinning. Instead, the more grace God gives, the more I desire to be obedient to His Word and gather my daily Manna; He so lovingly provided me from Heaven. After all, what other response is there for such glorious grace? That is, if we truly understand God's grace.

God's mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:22-23). And I don't want to miss it because I wasn't disciplined enough the night before to go to bed when I should have; so I could wake up when I needed to; in order to give God the first fruits of my day like He gave me His First Fruit—His One and Only begotten Son.

If any of you are feeling like a marginal Christian like I often do, please read the short biography of A.W. Pink that I've included below. After reading about this giant of a Christian and where he struggled to be obedient to the Lord, I felt like there just might be some hope for me after all. I pray it'll be a source of encouragement for you as well.

Arthur Walkington Pink was born in 1886 in Nottingham, England. Though A.W. Pink was raised in a Christian home, he participated in a pre-New Age religious group of theosophicals until his early 20s. Nonetheless, his father faithfully taught him the Scriptures, and at age 22, A.W. Pink repented of his idolatry and put his full trust in Jesus Christ alone.

Desiring to better understand the Bible, he left England and came to the United States in the early 1900s to attend Moody Bible Institute. He left the institute six weeks later. Pink eventually pastored churches in four different states and also served in Australia for two to three years. In 1934 he returned to England after making the decision to serve the Lord through a writing ministry rather than a pastorate.

A.W. Pink was a deeply intellectual recluse, and could never find a church in which he felt he could both pastor and fellowship. Besides his dear wife Vera (whom he married in 1916), Pink didn't associate well with others. Though an outstanding theologian and exhorter of the Christian faith, he, like the rest of us, had sin issues, and lack of faithful fellowship with other Christians was one of them.

Pink and his wife moved to Scotland in 1940 where he continued his reclusive life and writing ministry until his death in 1952. And like his life, his death was quiet, with only a few aware of his Home going.

"Day by day, dear Lord, of Thee three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, to love Thee more dearly, to follow Thee more nearly." (Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253)

My Second Love was written out of my love for God and for all my sisters in Christ whom the Lord has inspired to travel the road of biblical submission, so together we may raise our voices as one (Ex 24:3, Rom 15:6); giving praise, glory and honor only to Jesus our Supreme and First Love; enabling us to biblically honor our husbands as our Second Love.

You can access these lessons by viewing the "Table of Contents" from the navigation menu on the left sidebar of the study's website at: www.mysecondlove.net.

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Biblical submission is:

A beautiful gift for your husband and a precious offering to God.

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"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful."

~ Psalm 111:1-4

This is a verse-by-verse study of biblical submission and how it pertains to the passage in Proverbs 31:10-31, which is an acrostic poem based on the Hebrew alphabet, and an oracle taught to King Lemuel (meaning, "devoted to God") by his mother (Proverbs 31:1). Most scholars reason King Lemuel is King Solomon since Solomon was also called Jedidiah which means "beloved of the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:25).

Therefore it is speculated that Bathsheba, King Solomon's mother, taught him this oracle that is filled with wisdom on what kind of woman a man of God ought to seek for a wife—one of excellent character, in accordance with God's standards, found in His Word.

Every chapter in this study is based on the biblical definition of submission, how it is fulfilled by the seemingly elusive Proverbs 31 woman; and how God-fearing, Christ-loving women of our day can realize her true calling as a daughter of the Most High God.

You'll be provided insights concerning the spiritual essence of every verse, as well as practical ways every woman of God can apply these biblical principles to her life.

At the end of each lesson, you'll find soul-searching questions to help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, see yourself and your life with eternal perspective, and view others as God our Father sees them—with His infinite wisdom, love and compassion rather than with our introspectively-skewed and finite understanding.

As you journey down this narrow and rarely traveled road to biblical submission, please allow the Holy Spirit of God to prune, refine and shape you. Ask God for His discipline. Painful as it may be, we can trust it because we know God's discipline is good and loving, for His discipline leads us out of the entrapment of sin and into the freedom found only in the righteousness of Christ (Hebrews 12:7-11).

In light of Ecclesiastes 5:1-3, pray and memorize Psalm 139:23-24 and Psalm 19:14. Then share how applying these Scriptures in your life has impacted you and your family with your local study group, disciple, family, etc., so that others saints in the Lord may be encouraged and edified by your faith (Rom 1:11-12).

Since the Word of God alone has the power to transform hearts and renew minds, be sure to read every Scripture written or referenced along with the entire chapter each Scripture is found in so that you may read God’s word in the context in which He wrote it. Cultivating this habit will keep you from reading God’s word with your emotions and preconceived notions of what you want it to mean.

This is not a feel good study, but it is full of practical applications and exhortations to do good (Heb 10:24, James 2:18, 26).

"A major distinction exists between the ancient marble-crafters and the God of eternity, however. They worked with lifeless stone, and what emerged was the product of their own skill and choice...Becoming like Jesus Christ must be at the center of our understanding of what it means to be a child of God on this side of eternity. And like the artisans of old, God's methods necessitate pain, the removal of what we might rely upon, and great amounts of time and patience....There's much within each of us that would implore the Master to quit the work, to let us be content as an unfinished piece. We are frail people living in formidable times. Pain, difficulty, suffering, loss, and rejection are regarded as enemies in our postmodern world. But in the hands of a loving Father, afflictions and difficulties are meant to be the agents of glorious change for those who submit to the work of the Master's hand."

~Fran Sciacca

My prayer is, that as wives, we will embrace the purpose in which our Creator God and Father through the Lord Jesus Christ originally intended for us when He so wisely and carefully designed us. And as we abide in Christ, I pray that we, as daughters of the Most High God will use the influence He gave us as a tool to turn the hearts of our families, neighborhoods, cities and perhaps even our countries toward God.

Please join me in this prayer.

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.

~ Isaiah 64:8

Warning: Before you begin this study, first read Luke 14:27-33 and consider carefully the cost of traveling down this road to Christ-likeness. This study will be intense and requires a strong resolve to dedicate yourself to be an active and willing participant as the Holy Spirit conforms you into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday we got to closely examine the first two verses of Romans 12:9-13. This amazing passage is filled with so much of God's goodness, trying to discuss it in one article is like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant—though you're thirst will be quenched, much of the rich nourishment will be wasted.

Since a meal is best enjoyed when it can be savored, not when it's being shoved down your throat, we'll continue to take our time and cover only verse 11 today.

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

~Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit [or Spirit], serve the Lord. I love how God uses two totally opposing words together, in the beginning of this sentence: slothful and zeal.

Slothful (adj.): sluggardly; indolent; lazy.

Zeal (noun): fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor.

God is basically saying, "Don't be lazy in being eager to live in step with, and by His Holy Spirit" (Gal 5:25). What an incredible way to make a strong and sobering point. We, in our depraved thinking can actually be lazy in doing good, lazy in being enthusiastic, lazy and indifferent to living with purpose, but mostly, lazy in showing genuine love to God and others. It sounds awful to be like that, but if we're honest with ourselves (me, included), we've all done that or are still in the midst of being deceived by this lie: Just surround yourself with religious people, religious talk and religious activity, and this will make up for neglecting to feed your soul by daily studying, meditating and personally applying God's word to your life.

It is a sin for any Christian to neglect this commandment (Jn 1:14, 6:27; Matt 26:26) from Christ. Constantly renewing our minds with God's word is essential for our hearts to be transformed so that our lives will reflect the agape love and the glorious power of Jesus Christ (Gal 2:20). Without this vital Christian discipline, our lives will look exactly like unbelievers, except with a few vain, "religious" activities added to it.

So, you go to church regularly, you sing in the choir and/or volunteer in multiple ministries within your church, you attend or participate some how in every event at your church and you even homeschool or private school your children, and perhaps you extend your "service" outside of your church walls to the homeless in your community or to shut-ins, or regularly involve yourself in other such "noble" causes.

Do not be deceived into believing that all your religious acts please the Almighty because unlike the rest of the world, He is not fooled by meaningless, external activity; He is moved by hearts that are humble and demonstrate genuine love towards Him, and others (which is the greatest commandment).

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him...All these things My hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word."

~2 Chron 16:9a; Is 66:2

In verse 11 of this beautiful passage, we are commanded by our Creator God to live as He has purposed us to live: to pursue love, peace and righteousness (Rom 14:19; 2 Tim 2:22); to chase hard after Him; to live for a single purpose—the pleasure and glory of Christ the Lord. Essentially, we need to expend every breath God grants us to know Him more so we can love Him better...and better and better and better.

So, if you're a true child of God, you'll listen to what the Almighty Himself says:

"If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother [or sister in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

~1 John 4:20-21

We either trust, believe and live off of every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord (Deut 8:3; Matt 4:4) or we trust, believe and live off of every thought and lofty opinion that we've crafted in our own minds ( Prov 18:2; 2 Cor 10:4-5).

No one can simultaneously live by God's perfect commandments and by their personal affinities. So, test yourselves and see if you have the genuine love God defines in Romans 12:9-11. Then join me again for Part 3 as we examine and learn to apply verse 12 to our lives in practical and meaningful ways.

Please join me as I continue Part 3 of this three part series on Christian love.

What is "genuine Christian love"? Let's see how God defines it.

~Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)

Jesus said that it is by our love for one another that the world will know that we are His disciples (Jn 13:34-35). The Lord did not say, it is by our theology, doctrine, knowledge, memorization of Scripture, our "service" or ideas of what holy living is, that will be the evidence to the world that we are, in fact, His disciples, He said, it is by our love for one another...just as He has loved us.

Let's break down each verse and examine our own hearts in the light of God's holy word so that we might quicken our spirits to the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 9: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Jesus defines genuine love to be His love—agape love. Love that neither seeks nor even considers self, but only seeks and considers God and His will for everyone. Humility and sacrificial living are consistently evident in genuine love. And in this pure love from, and of God, a Christian would supernaturally hate all that is evil (as God defines evil) and hold tightly to all that is good, e.g., hate a lying tongue, hate flattery, hate the murdering of the innocent (as in abortion), hate gossip, hate any kind of dissension (especially within the Family of God); love the truth even when it hurts, love those who speak God's truth to you, love discipline, love justice and mercy (not to seek it for yourselves, but to give to others)...essentially, love all that God says He loves and hate all that God says He hates. And you can only discover this by daily being in His word and praying that He will daily manifest the life of Christ in your life (Gal 2:20; Heb 5:14).

Verse 10: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. One of the best exegesis of this verse, is the one I heard from Pastor and Teacher, John MacArthur. Here's an excerpt from his sermon series (in 1984) entitled, "Brick by Brick":

"it's marvelous that he uses it here because he says in the Christian family we ought to have...the warm affection of love. So we ought to be marked by a natural love that we share with all believers, and I think you've experienced that. I know I have many, many times. I can go into an environment where I do not know anyone and if they love the Lord Jesus Christ, it doesn't take very long for us to have a very unique sense of love. There is a common bond that stretches beyond culture and time and place and events and circumstances and even though we have no history and no knowledge of commonness in terms of lifestyle or likes or dislikes, there is an immediate sense of affection with one who belongs to the family of God. Have you felt that? Sure you have. And that is to be an affectionate demonstrative kind of love. We are to have love for those within the family. And again I say, it is not a love built on attraction, it is a love that is given to anyone who belongs to the same Savior, the same Lord, the same Father.

It is not just a theological love, it is an affection, a tender, kind, caring, concerned affection. The pure love of those who belong to Jesus Christ, it's what John talks about in 1 John 5 in that very lovely statement that he makes, 'Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and every one that loves him that begot loves him also that is begotten of Him.' A marvelous statement.

If you love God, you love those who belong to Him. And there is a warm affection for brothers and sisters in Christ. And that's why in Ephesians Paul says, 'Be ye tender hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.' We are to be identified as those who love."

~Brick by Brick (Part 2) by Pastor John MacAruthur

Full article originally appeared here at Grace to You

The second part of verse 10 is that we are commanded to compete with one another...but in what? In showing off our talents, knowledge or anything we deem valuable? By all means "No". We are commanded by God to outdo one another in showing honor to others, rather seeking to be honored.

What does that look like in a real-life? Well, it might look something like this: you just got a piece of your work highlighted in a public medium, where your name is mentioned and character honored. Naturally you are excited, and supernaturally, you are humbled. So first, you give thanks to God for allowing the gifts He's given you, to be used to edify and encourage others, then you pray and seek to bring honor to someone else, rather than announce to everyone you know and don't know, that this great honor has been given to you. It's a test. Will you pass it (Prov 27:2)?

There's so much good stuff in this passage to really sink your teeth into and chew on, I'm going to stop here for today to allow these two verses to really marinate in your soul.

Allow the genuineness of God's love that He has worked in you, be evident in your daily life.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ...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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

~Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13 (ESV)

Please join me as I continue Part 2 of this three part series on Christian love.

What does it mean for us to "walk in love"? Does it mean that we should all walk around as if we were floating on cloud 9, filled with romantic and idealistic thoughts about our lives and relationships?

What does it mean for us to be a "fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."? Does it mean that we are to abstain from anything and everything that brings us pleasure; wear drab clothes and a permanent expression on our faces that tell the world how miserable we are being children of the Most High God, living in a sin infested world?

Short answer to both these questions are assuredly in Christ - NO!

When I read Ephesians 5:1-2, one of the first things that come to mind is the tabernacle and the altar of incense that was placed on the west side of the Holy Place, and stood in front of the curtain/veil of the Most Holy Place (or the Holy of Holies).

The LORD said to Moses, "Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy...And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the LORD. Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from his people."
~ Exodus 30:34-35, 37-38

Notice that the LORD our God gives us a sharp warning that the combination of theses spices are "holy" they are set apart for God and should never be used for our own personal pleasures.

stacte n. ~ [Hebrew: שחלת (nataph)] one of the components of the perfume which was offered on the golden altar (Ex. 30:34; R.V. marg., "opobalsamum"). The Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to distil," and it has been by some interpreted as distilled myrrh

onycha n. ~ [Hebrew: שחלת (shĕcheleth)] according to Hebrew interpreters, unguis odaratus, prop. the covering or shell of a kind of muscle found in the lakes of India, where the nard grows; which, when burning, emits an odor resembling musk

galbanum n. ~ [Hebrew: חלבנה (chelbĕnah)] A bitter, aromatic gum resin extracted from an Asiatic plant (Ferula galbaniflua) or any of several related plants and used in incense and medicinally as a counterirritant

frankincense n. ~ [Hebrew: לבונה (lĕbownah)] a white resin burned as fragrant incense

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

May we all present ourselves as "living sacrifices" to God as we seek to die to self every day; consecrating our lives only for God's purpose and His pleasure, for this is where we will find our greatest joy.

In my next post I will share a diagram of the tabernacle and how Jesus fulfilled every element that was placed in it.

Before I share this teaching on how God created man in His image, I want to thank those of you who contacted me and let me know that you were praying for God to give me wisdom from Heaven. I cannot adequately express in words what it means to me that you would go before the throne of God on my behalf, for my edification and growth in the faith. You are more precious to me than you will ever know.

Last week I was inspired by our Father God's Holy Spirit to make a Scripture-picture for our weekly WFW based on Psalm 23:3. And although I had read Psalm 23 in its entirety about a gazillion times (much like everyone else), God revealed to me that I needed to meditate on it once more...so I did.

This passage is so familiar that even unbelievers know and chant it as if it were some holy rabbit's foot that will save them when they're scared or overwhelmed. And sadly, as a child of God, I've misunderstood this passage to mean only that - that God is with us in our times of trouble and will bring us comfort. While this is a true fact about our God, I discovered this passage is not referring to God's comfort here on earth, but for something much greater. It turns out, it's a prayer that only believers would be able to say. This famous prayer of King David is a prayer of confidence in God's ultimate work of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When the Holy Spirit inspired King David to write verse 3, He inclined David's heart to express the immeasurable peace of God that comes to a soul that is once again restored (brought back to its original state, brought back to a former or original condition). For the soul that is restored, is saved by God's grace, through faith/full trust in Jesus Christ alone. King David then ends this Psalm stating that he is confident he will dwell in the house (Heaven) of the LORD forever.

I was very excited, to say the least, to discover such an awesome truth about our infinitely glorious, holy and righteous God. So much so, I wanted to share with everyone how we were first created in God's image, how we separated ourselves from His holiness and how God Himself, saved us from our fallen state through faith in His Son Jesus, who became the propitiation for our sins; thereby initiating the process of sanctifying (restoring) our condemned souls, so that we might once again partake in holy communion with our Creator by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.

But as I began to draw pictures to depict this miraculous phenomena of God - creating man in His image, I began to realize that all the teaching I had heard on this subject, didn't work. For years, I was taught to believe the trichotomist theology that man was made in the image of God in that God is a Triune God; therefore, man is a triune man (body, soul and spirit). I never really thought about it very much, but there were lots of great arguments for it and it all seemed to make sense - until of course, I tried to make sense of it all.

I found myself in quite a conundrum when trying to make this theology of trichotomy work. When I first drew it, it seemed odd to me that God is a Triune God, greater than man, yet man was equal to God in being made as a trinity? Somehow, that didn't sit quite right with me and I had a very difficult time trying to draw man and his essence, just like I drew the Trinity of God below with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three in one, and equal.

As my Favorite and I looked and looked over these pictures, we realized that further study was necessary, as there was no way that man is in any shape, way or form just like God. To be made in one's image, does not automatically denote that the image is an exact replica of the original.

I then pulled out Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem, confident that a book about biblical doctrine would include the theology of man and his essential nature (being made in God's image), as well as Scriptures that would prove what is true versus what has been passed down from generation to generation (traditional theology) without question and without Scriptural proof. And sure enough, there it was! [By the way, I highly recommend this book, I use it quite often in my study of Scripture].

I must admit, it was quite taxing to look up all the Scriptures that were referenced and the laziness in me wanted to find a short cut. But I realized that this matter was far too important (really, anything about God is) for me to only read over what I might think to be necessary. I wanted to know the whole truth and earnestly asked God to help me and give me wise counsel through His Holy Spirit. Every time I was tempted to skip a Scripture/passage or favor a conclusion (which was to hold on to what I had always believed), God's Holy Spirit was ever so faithful to continue to remind me:

"Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
~ Jeremiah 9:23-24

"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."
~ Proverbs 18:13

These words from our Lord Jesus were a great encouragement to me to continue on and finish studying and meditating on every passage noted so that I might not have an "answer" (come to a conclusion) before I finished listening to the full counsel of the Lord.

After much prayer and meditating on God's holy Word, I realized He provided no biblical reference for the trichotomist theology, but only that of the dichotomist theology which concludes that the the essence of man is in two parts (body and soul/spirit) and not three parts (body, soul and spirit). I won't get into all the nitty gritty details, but I will sum up my study on this topic with the following pictures which portray that being made in God's image does not mean we physically look like God or are made equal with God, but that we are an image of His character and nature.

The picture above depicts the essence of man, being created in the image (not exact replica) of God, with body and soul/spirit which are in perfect harmony with one another and more importantly live in harmony with God the Father.

In the picture to our left, we see what happened to the original design of man and his fallen state. The soul/spirit of man is no longer in harmony with the body as God created it (with the soul/spirit governing the actions of the body) because the soul/spirit is now dead to God and corruptible. The death of the soul/spirit also led to the death and condemnation of the body. The body and soul/spirit of man is no longer blessed by God, but is under His curse due to man's rebellion and willful act in the attempt to usurp God's authority and become his own god. Due to this atrocious rebellion, one day, those who have not been made alive in Christ, will suffer the second death, which is, the lake of fire.

Jesus said, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Luke 10:28)

In the picture to the right, we see how God is in the process of restoring man back to his original state for those who have trusted in the name of His Son, Jesus the Christ. But due to sin's corrupting affect on man's flesh, the final restoration will not take place while we're here on earth, but will be fulfilled when our bodies are redeemed. Until then, God uses His Holy Spirit to begin that sanctifying (or restoring) process and we begin to see the soul/spirit gaining victory over the sinful flesh that continues to war against the man's soul/spirit that has once again been made alive by Christ Jesus our Lord.

Can you see that the essence of man - being made in the image of God will once again be fully restored to its original state when those who have trusted Jesus with their lives will one day live in Paradise with Him? Just as God intended from the very beginning.

By the way, perhaps many of you already know this, but for those of you who don't, both Eden and Paradise mean: a garden or a pleasure ground.

I truly pray that this study of man being created in God's image, will cause you to give glory, praise and honor to our Father God, increase your gratitude for the long-suffering of God by which He patiently and sacrificially gave His one and only Son, to pay a debt He did not owe in order to restore our souls to its original state before the Fall of Man. And may your immense gratitude and love for what our God has done for us, burn your heart with passion to do what Jesus came to do: spread the Gospel so that condemned souls (like yours and mine used to be) may find salvation in the only name in which all men are saved, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!' "
~ Romans 10:14-15

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
~ Psalm 23:3

One of the things I love most about God and His word is that He never gets old! He makes all things new, just like He's making me new every day!

Like many of you, I've read Psalm 23 in its entirety, probably about a hundred fifty million times (as you know by now, I like using LARGE numbers ☺). But today, God showed me something new that I had never seen. Before today, I've always looked at this particular verse as looking to God for rest, my hiding place, my source of comfort when I am weary, discouraged or afraid.

As I meditated on this Scripture today, I realized I didn't fully understand what the word restore means. This is what I found on Dictionary.com:

restore v.
1) to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order. 2) to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting. 3) to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor. 4) to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc.: to restore the king to his throne. 5) to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).

God alone is my Savior. He alone can and will make me new in Christ and give me life. I was once dead and useless. But now, I am whole, alive and created to be one of God's ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)....just like all of you! ♥

I realize now that Psalm 23 is not about personal comfort, but about our eternal salvation. In Psalm 23, God is telling us that He alone is the Good Shepherd, who will feed us Bread from Heaven (Jesus Christ), allow us to drink from the from the Living Water (the Holy Spirit) and will restore our souls, by saving us and making our spirits that were once dead in sin, alive in Christ Jesus. And why has He done all this? Because we are good people? Because we do nice things for each other? No, because of His righteousness and for His name's sake (Deuteronomy 9:5).

For those of you who are visual, come back tomorrow. I'll have a picture to demonstrate how we are made in God's image; we'll talk more about what that really means and why it's possible for us to be alive in Christ, and dead to our flesh.

for more inspiration from God's word today please visit Amydeanne at:

(this picture was taken by my husband during his tour in Iraq 2 years ago)

" 'Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? Go near and hear all that the LORD our God will say and speak to us all that the LORD our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.'

And the LORD heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the LORD said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear Me and to keep all My commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!' "

~ Deuteronomy 5:25-29
(emphasis added)

My sister-in-law has this fabulous plaque over her kitchen window. It says, "God Is. Therefore all is well." I don't know if I got all the words right (please correct me if I'm wrong sis *smiles*). But you get the meaning.

I find that I when I'm reading Scripture, I'm often looking for verses in the Bible that comfort me, make me feel better about something or teaches me a new attribute about God I'd never known before. But today, as I was having my quiet time with our awesome Father in Heaven, He reminded me about something it seems I often forget. And it's simply:

God Is. Therefore, all is well.

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses spends most of his time recapping all that God has done for the Israelites since the LORD delivered them out of the land of slavery in Egypt. It's kind of Moses' "farewell" letter as he passes the torch to Joshua. In this book, Moses is extremely passionate for God's word and repeats almost all that he wrote in the book of Exodus. Moses not only repeats the Ten Commandments, but also all of the commandments that the LORD gave Moses to teach His people Israel how to live holy lives, pleasing to the LORD.

In the passage of Scripture I noted in the picture and under the picture (Deuteronomy 5:24-29) God reminded me of something a lot of us in the Church forget to do these days: Fear the LORD our God. Satan has used our amnesia of this area, as a catalyst to create the common practice of casual Christianity. All because we've forgotten to fear God first, as it is repeated often in Scripture like this one:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
~ Proverbs 9:10

One of the reasons why I love CWO and all the ministries affiliated with it (Live Well, Internet Cafe, WFW, At the Well) is because this is where I've found wonderful sisters in the Lord who are passionate about Who God Is and not just what He can and will do for us. I have be inspired and encouraged to press on daily to live as a stranger in this land, a sojourner - just passing by. I've been reminded of who God is and to fear Him always because this keeps me in constant humble gratitude of His Gift of love perfectly demonstrated to me through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life."
~ Romans 5:6-10
(emphasis added)

Oh, glory be to the LORD God Almighty who has saved my wretched soul from justified and well deserved eternal damnation! For I have grieved my Maker and sinned against Him by practicing lawlessness! I have broken the perfect commandments of the LORD, yet He looked upon my destitute and humble state and had compassion upon me. He gave me the gift of repentance that works salvation that I might be reconciled to Him as His child and no longer considered His enemy. By the blood of the holy Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ I am no longer a slave to sin, but have been freed to become a slave of righteousness, that I might offer myself as a living, holy and pure sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord our God! (Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 5:1-2)

When I remain in the position I always ought to - in the holy presence of my King, my Creator, my God and Father, then I find it very difficult to find anything about me to boast about or even like very much. Instead my flesh is repulsive to me in the glorious light of my righteous God and Savior...as it should be. And this causes me to greatly desire to die to self and live only in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

"Nor is there aught in ourselves in which we may glory; for who maketh us to differ from another? And what have we that we did not receive from the God of all grace? Then how careful ought we to be to walk humbly before the Lord! The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for one glory only in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High."

~ Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
August 16, Morning - Psalm 29:2

And what does all this work? It's works in me holy gratitude to our holy and awesome God. It works His compassion in me, given freely to me when I didn't deserve it, so I can freely give it to others without finding fault in them. For if I can not freely offer someone full forgiveness for their sins against me, then I am standing in judgment of them, setting myself up as God's rival - as there is only one Judge, and I am certain I am not Him! (James 4:11-12 and 1 Peter 2:23)

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
~ Luke 6:35
(emphasis added)

Who are the ungrateful and evil Jesus is referring to in the Scripture above? We all are. But He saved us anyway. So how much more ought we bear with one another and forgive (Colossians 3:11-13)? How much more ought we, equal sinners, offer God's love to those who have sinned against us without expecting any kindness in return?

Is there someone you need to fully forgive TODAY? And possibly, humbly ask for forgiveness from them as well? If so, do not sin again - but be quick to do it! (James 4:17)

Be sure to hop on over to the 160 Acre Woods for more inspiration from God's word today!

Beloved sisters, it just doesn't get any better than this:

We are loved by God!

freely giving, as I have been given freely,

"And you said, 'Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man and man still live.' "

"He whose life is one even and smooth path, will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know but little of the God of tempests; but they who 'do business in great waters', these see His 'wonders in the deep'. Among the huge Atlantic-waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience of God's greatness and loving-kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as He did His servant Moses, that you might behold His glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction, you have been capacitated for the outshinings of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you."

~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

On March 28, 1999, Jim was working late. Our two precious boys were sound asleep and I was alone, sitting at the kitchen table drinking hot tea. I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself because my husband wasn't home yet. For some strange reason, I was overwhelmed with sorrow and loneliness that night. As I cried out to our Father God, He reminded me that this was such a small stream of a trial compared to all that He had already delivered me from.

Our gracious God, so gently reminded me of the 13 years of child abuse, high school drama and trauma and the three years I spent walking away from Him. And through it all, He was there. He was there to discipline me when I needed it, to hold me, comfort me and love me when no one else could be trusted. And He was there when I said I thought I could "take it from here".

During all these contemptuous times, God never failed me and always reminded me to empty myself of myself, lift my eyes to Jesus, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before Him. In the midst of my sorrow, I wrote the words to this song:

You Are

You are the sunshine of my days,
You are the apple of my eye.
Lord I lift my voice,
And praise Your name.

You are the One who makes me strong,
You are the Giver of all hope.
Lord You make right,
All my wrongs.

Lord I adore Thee,
For all You have done!
With grace and mercy,
You gave us Your Son!

You put me in, the cleft of the rock.
And You cover me, with Your hand.
You lift me, and mold me,
So that I may stand...on Your Truth,
O Lord, how I love Thee!

I praise You,
O Lord, my God.
I exalt Your Name,
You're the Great "I Am"!

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