Bible Study Love: Patience With God

The following devotional and Bible Study assignment was taken from our Online Christian Mom Bible Study Group. You can sign up to become a member of the CSAHM Club and gain access to our complete Bible Study on Love. Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

***

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NKJV

Why didn’t God make everything in one day? Why did it take 7 days to create the heavens and the earth, animals, plants, and man? He could have created everything all at once, but He didn’t. Why?

“The servant therefore fell down before Him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ” Matthew 18:26 (NKJV)

What if God weren’t a patient God? How many of us would be saved? Where would we be without God’s salvation?

“But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15 (NKJV)

Being patient with God is a difficult task, simply because it requires trust. Trust that God is who He says He is and will do the things He promises to do. It also requires faith. Faith that your prayers will be answered, and your trust in God will bear fruit in your life!

With patience we need to have faith, and trust the things we cannot see.

“By your patience posses your souls.” Luke 21:19 (NKJV)

Definition of posses: To cause to be influenced or controlled, as by an idea or emotion.

Our first reaction to everything should be patience. Sometimes we need to just stop and think before we speak or act.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,” Romans 15:4-5 (NKJV)

Most of us, myself included, don’t really grasp that taking your time to move through this life is really what needs to be done. To often we cry out to the Lord, begging Him to “do something” right now, when in all reality solving the problem immediately may not be the answer.

It took God 7 days to create the earth and everything that lives in the earth. He knows that life takes time, and we are here according to His time frame, and according to His purpose.

So much learning is achieved in those difficult times. Lest we forget this life is not about our wants and desires. The Lord has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us that was so important to Him, God was willing to sacrifice His son in order to fulfill that purpose, to fulfill His plan!

We will never receive all that God has created for us if we lose our patience with Him. Yes, it takes trust and faith, but God is faithful. He is trustworthy. Becoming all that He created us to be is counting on our patience with Him.

God doesn’t ask of us anything He himself hasn’t already provided. God is patient with us. He has been patient since the beginning of time!

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” James 5:10 (NKJV)

Assignment:

Read Hebrews 6:11-12. What does God call us to do through our trials? How long are we to do this?

Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

Updates on new Posts Subscribe in a Reader · Subscribe by Email

Bible Study Love: Endures All Things

The following devotional and Bible Study assignment was taken from our Online Christian Mom Bible Study Group. You can sign up to become a member of the CSAHM Club and gain access to our complete 30 Day Bible Study on Love. Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

***

“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ” [b]1 Corinthians 13:7[/b] (NKJV)

Endure – to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in: Suffer

If I had to tell you how many times I have failed in my relationships, including my relationship with God, I would tell you it is too many to count.

Often in our relationships we get disappointed by others actions. We are all human, we all fail. We all have these expectations on everyone, including God, that also help in making us feel like a relationship has failed and we are disappointed.

But a lot of times we don’t realize that this life is about endurance. The most meaningful relationships are the ones that endured so many trials, pains and hurts.

When we love like Jesus we are less likely to run away from the situation, and instead endure through the trials and the pain.

Jesus’ love was about enduring pain. He knew before His death what pain He was going to endure, and He walked into it without a fight.

To often we are afraid of experiencing pain, and guard our hearts to real everlasting love. Simply because we are afraid of getting hurt again.

Jesus never guarded Himself from the pain He was going to endure, because he knew that love endures all things.

If we aren’t willing to endure through life then we may be missing out on all that God has to offer.

Assignment:

Journal your answers to the following: What is God asking you to endure? How can we show our love to God? Do we love God enough to endure through life, in order to fulfill His purpose, or do we just give up?

Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

Bible Study Love: Bears All Things

The following devotional and Bible Study assignment was taken from our Online Christian Mom Bible Study Group. You can sign up to become a member of the CSAHM Club and gain access to our complete 30 Day Bible Study on Love. Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

***

“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NKJV)

Do we really know what it means to “bear all things?” We often think that bearing a burden is of course the right Christian thing to do. But truth be told it is probably one of the most difficult things to do, simply because it requires us to put aside our own emotions and feelings in order to care for someone else.

When we truly love someone we need to learn to be there for them whatever trials they are going through. This includes your husband, children, family, and even your brothers and sisters in Christ or strangers.

If your husband, children, or family members are caught up in sin, then you need to pray for them until they are healed from that sin. Walking away from them, or ignoring their sin is not what love is about.

Don’t get me wrong. This is not to say that if you are in a dangerous situation you should stay in that situation. However you can still pray for that person, and bear their burden from a distance.

Bearing all things means sticking by the one’s you love and encouraging them even if you are frustrated with them. It is doing what’s right, especially when we don’t feel like it, because you love them and you want to honor God.

Giving up on a loved one, or even yourself or God, simply because you are frustrated is not true love.

Jesus loved everyone, and had a special place in His heart for the sinner. What did Jesus do in the presence of sinners? He forgave them, stood up for them, He even washed their feet. Most importantly He gave His life for the sinner.

Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to “bear all things” in order to show His love for us, and for the Father. Bearing all things will certainly require sacrifice, it will be painful, and it will include dying to your flesh. However when we bear each others burdens we are loving those around us the way Jesus showed His love to the world.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in how the other persons problem is making us feel that we forget to consider THEIR own personal struggle.

Assignment:

Define the word “Bear”

Journal the following:

~ Is there a relationship in your life where you have been blocking out their problems because it is too painful for you?

Often when someone else is committing a sin, or is going through a rough patch, we simply tell them what’s wrong with them, but we do not ask how we can help them get through the difficult time. My challenge for you is to listen more, and really try to show compassion for the struggle they are facing.

~ Where would you be today if Jesus turned His back on you instead of having love & compassion towards you? How has His love changed your life? How can you share that love with others, especially those around you that are struggling and hurting?

Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

Bibe Study Contentment: Sight of the Eyes

The following devotional and Bible Study assignment was taken from our Online Christian Mom Bible Study Group. You can sign up to become a member of the CSAHM Club and gain access to our complete 30 Day Bible Study on Contentment. Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

***

“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire.” Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NKJV)

Often we find ourselves daydreaming or wondering about the things we desire rather than focusing on what is happening right in front of our eyes.

While we sit and wish for bigger and better things our marriage could very well be falling apart, or our children could be slipping right through our fingers into a world of sin.

Focusing on the moment helps us to accomplish God’s will in our lives by having a strong marriage, raising godly children, and keeping a happy home. We will not accomplish these goals as long as we are focused more on the desires of our heart rather than what we already have been given.

Our focus needs to be first on God, then our husbands, and finally our children.

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:4-6 (NKJV)

Assignment:

List 5 things you feel God would like for you to focus on more. List your desires and hand them over to God, and ask for prayer.

Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

Bible Study Contentment: Perspective

The following devotional and Bible Study assignment was taken from our Online Christian Mom Bible Study Group. You can sign up to become a member of the CSAHM Club and gain access to our complete 30 Day Bible Study on Contentment. Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

***

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)

Definition of Perspective: A mental view or outlook.

I think as Stay at Home Moms we often have a negative outlook on what we do. It’s boring, mundane, frustrating. However sometimes we just need to change our perspective on what being a Stay at Home Mom really means!

We don’t need to the world to tell us that being a Stay at Home Mom is hard. We already know! But too often that’s exactly what the world does.

But what does God think about your lifestyle, how you spend your money, or the daily tasks you achieve?

When we feel discontent we start working towards things that the world says we should have without looking to God and asking Him what His will is for our lives.

Too often we feel a different job, a new spouse, a new car, or even a new life is what will truly bring us contentment. When in fact if we just change our perspective life could truly end up being more of a blessing rather than a curse.

For Example:

Next time your child throws a temper tantrum, instead of getting upset about the behavior, change your perspective. This is a great time for you to correct your child. All children are still learning about life and how the world works.

Children have temper tantrums because they either lack the ability, or they simply choose not to communicate appropriately. What a blessing it is that YOU are the one teaching them about how the world works, and how to communicate properly.

This is a great way to turn a negative situation around into a positive. It also helps us as moms feel important (because we ARE!) and like we really are accomplishing something profound within that particular moment.

Assignment:

Journal some situations in which changing your perspective could help benefit your journey to contentment.

Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

The Importance of Bible Study Time

One of the great gifts given by God to us is the Bible.  The Bible is the word of God.  It is a roadmap for our lives, containing information on everything.  The Bible tells us how to be a productive Christian, a successful family, a loving parent, and the list goes on.  The Bible not only gives us instructions, but also examples.   

The Bible is the greatest “How-to” book ever written, however if we do not read and study it, we can not find out how to do what we should. 

Reading the Bible together as a family has so many benefits.  It is a great way to bond as a family, learning and discussing together.  It is also essential to strengthening your faith and beliefs.  There are so many character building stories and lessons to be learned from the Bible, for instance the story of the Prodigal Son. 

Many of us have heard throughout our lives, stories from the Bible.  The only way to know which stories are true and why they happened, is to read and study them yourself.  Being knowledgeable in the Bible also makes us a more powerful witness to those who do not believe.  It is so important to be able to point others to scripture that will help them. 

It is also important to know why we have certain beliefs and practices.  For instance, why do we celebrate Christmas and Easter?  Both of these stories can be found in the Bible along with several more.  Why do we believe in Creationism, rather than Darwinism, these reasons are also in there.   

There are many Bible reading guides and tools available for you to use.  One great resource is a Bible guide book.  It is also a great idea to keep a journal or book of notes on your study.  When you find a verse that is especially helpful to you, make a note of it so you can find it again when you need a little motivation.  Some people may find the Bible difficult to read because of the language used, but there are several translations available that are easy to read and understand. 

It is never too early to begin reading the Bible to your children.  There are several Bibles written specifically for children, that are easy for them to understand.  It is great to get into the habit of reading your Bible daily.  When we teach our children from the Bible, it is easier for them to stand against other stories and teachings that they know are untrue. 

The old saying “Knowledge is power”, really is true.  The more Biblical knowledge you and your family have, the more powerful you become to stand firm on your beliefs, no matter what situation may present itself.