Bible Study Obedience: Becoming Obedient

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!

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“And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (Amplified)

Over the years there have been many instances where God has truly called our family to be obedient to Him before revealing to us as to why He has called us to do go through that particular journey. One of the most recent situations was when an opportunity arose for my husband to further his education and attend Paramedic School.

My husband knew from the time he started the Fire Department that he wanted to become a Paramedic, and about every two years the department would open up the opportunity for the Firefighters to be sponsored by the Fire Department in a local Paramedic class. We had been waiting for the right time to take this next step. Well one time the opportunity became available again and even though we were already a pretty busy family, we felt like we should take advantage of the opportunity, go through the process, and see if God would open the door.

We really couldn’t explain why we felt the need to go through this process, but we felt that if it wasn’t God’s timing for us then the door would close. Well needless to say the door did not close, and even though we still had no real clear path laid before us, we went ahead and decided to be obedient to God. Till this day we have no idea of what God has planned for this opportunity, however God has provided for us, guided us, and has given us the strength to walk this path. I believe this is a result of us being obedient to Him.

“Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine. “ Exodus 19:5 (Amplified)

Assignment:

In the past what are some ways God has lead you in His will for your life? Do you trust God enough to guide you through every area of your life? Right now would you be willing to take a leap of faith and follow God’s lead on a path where the outcome isn’t quite clear yet?

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

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Christian Movie Review: One Night With the King

One Night With the King is now one of my all-time favorite movies. Seriously.

I went into watching it with little expectation – the story of Esther is one I am familiar with – but this movie really drew a lovely picture of the characters and the timeframe in which they lived, and I was captivated by it. It was a refreshing and lively version of a familiar story, that made me remember why I ever admired Esther in the first place.

Overview

While drawing on the characters of the story of Esther, the narrative effect – combined with the fine acting – traced the events of Scripture with a little flair of imagination. At a time when Persia ruled the world, and Jews were living in captivity outside of Jerusalem, the political drama of Persia vs. Greece, as well as Haman vs. Jew was illustrated beautifully.

The history of Haman – a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites that should have been executed by Saul, but was instead made a servant – gave some explanation as to his hatred of the Jews. (You can read more about this in I Samuel 15.)

The political intrigue in the palace, both internal and external, made for true drama – and the king had much to be concerned about.

And the story of Hadassah, who became Esther, was beautifully drawn out in a way that makes me want to study her even more deeply. She was just a Jewish girl, taken into the harem of a king, who was so enamored of her that Scripture says he was willing to give half his kingdom for her. (This from a man who had been publicly humiliated and scorned by his wife, Vashti, some short time earlier.)

My Review

Although there were only a couple of renowned actors in the movie (Peter O’Toole as the narrator, Samuel, Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan, and John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai), the actors and actresses brought their characters to life so well that I felt as though the Scripture was being acted out right in front of me.

While some details may have been constructed from guesswork – they were believable. Woven throughout what we know from reading Esther, was the story of romance between the king and Esther. While some liberty may have been taken with this particular story line, it was charming and sweet.

Considering Esther’s circumstances, she was a woman of courage and discernment. She sought to know what pleased the king (Esther 2:15), and won not only the royal eunuch’s favor, but ultimately the king’s favor. When she broke protocol at the risk of her life, the king chose to save her by extending the royal scepter, and granting her the small request for a dinner date. This was played out very well by Tiffany Dupont, as Esther, and I enjoyed her performance a great deal.

I was so reminded of what a wife should be after watching this movie. She was not a simpering fool; she was not a brash, contentious woman. Instead, Esther was a woman who accepted sage advice and trusted God to take care of her. Even at the risk of her own life.

This is a movie I plan to watch again. I recommend you consider watching it, too.

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Netflix: Proud Sponsor of Family Movie Night

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Disclaimer: some affiliate links have been used within this post.

Teaching Your Child to Profess God’s Word

The Bible tells us his “word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV) It truly is, but only if you allow it to be. We as parents must teach our children to make the scripture an important and valued part of their lives or otherwise it will not be.

Teaching your child to profess God’s Word, meaning to recall it and use it at the times that they need it most, can only be done if you are purposeful about teaching them God’s word.

You can do this in a variety of ways, including:

Having a daily Bible reading time for your family. A daily Bible reading time with your family can not only be a good way for your child to begin to know and love scripture, but can also help them to understand its significance and importance. They will realize because you make it an important part of your day that it is truly worth spending time in. Setting aside a specific time each day and staying committed to it will help your child to stay committed to reading the Bible as well, even into their futures.

Encouraging them to memorize Scripture. Whether you have them to memorize a verse a week or you enroll them in an organized group such as Bible Drill to help them to learn Scripture, either way you are helping them to “hide the words of God” in their hearts. This after all is what you are wanting them to do so that later on when they are faced with temptation or some other type of decision that they will be able to respond according to scripture.

Making sure that they attend Sunday School and other Bible study times. Coming together with other believers and studying the Bible gives them a chance to not only see that you and your family studying God’s word but others as well. They get the opportunity to learn from others and to learn from studying and reading the Scriptures for themselves.

All of these are perfect ways to help your child to learn God’s Word and in turn be able to profess God’s word when the time comes that they need to use it in their daily life. Without having the teachings from you in their past they will not be able to do so when the time comes that they need to rely on His word. This is why making it a priority for you and your family is important.

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!

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“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!

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!

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“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!

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“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!

Book Review: Mosaic Bible

(The giveaway has ended! Congratulations to Christin for winning!)

The Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT
is a very beautifully put together Bible. I have honestly never seen a Bible quite like it.

The Holy Bible: Mosaic provides weekly meditations that are designed to be used in connection with the church year. According to the Holy Bible: Mosaic, “the church calendar is organized around God and his activity in the world.” This was very interesting to me because I have never heard of the church calendar before, and after looking over the weekly meditations I must say I am intrigued!

The weekly meditations are also great for simply studying the Bible. The meditations focus on specific topic and include a devotion, scripture references to study, time for reflection, poems, and so much more. Not only can you participate in the weekly meditations, you can also simply read the Bible. The Holy Bible: Mosaic provides the New Living Translation of the Bible along with the weekly meditations.

Below is a quote from the Holy Bible Mosaic website describing the Bible a bit more:

Holy Bible: Mosaic is about helping you encounter Christ in a deep and authentic way, through insight from every continent and century of the Christian Church. Historical and contemporary art and writings from across the globe offer a depth of Scriptural wisdom and understanding as you read and reflect on God’s word.

I am very excited to also introduce you to Ruth Tuttle Conrad, who is a contributor to the Holy Bible: Mosaic. Ruth wrote the meditation for “Authenticity,” Pentecost week 14.

Contest:

I’m also very excited to announce that we have a gift certificate to give away! This certificate is good for one FREE Holy Bible: Mosaic! To enter the contest you will need to do one, or more of the following.

You will receive ONE entry for each action you take:

1. Make a comment on this blog post, below!
2. Tweet this contest on twitter. Be sure to leave a comment here with your @ twitter name so you will be entered in the contest.
3. Subscribe to the CSAHM Newsletter. Be sure to leave a comment here stating you subscribed to the newsletter.
4. Make a post on your blog and link back to this post to share about the contest. Be sure to post a comment here with a link to your post to receive an entry for your post!

The winner will be randomly drawn and announced on November 12, 2009! Good luck!

Disclosure: No money was recieved to review the Holy Bible: Mosaic. However a free copy was provided for review and certificate for a free Mosaic Bible was provided for the giveaway as well. CSAHM is a member of the Tyndale blog network. Links to amazon are affiliate links.

{QOTW} What is your favorite scripture?

Welcome to the CSAHM “Question of the Week.” Please feel free to share your answers, ideas, or thoughts to the “Question of the Week” in the comments section below.

This weeks question:
What is your favorite scripture?

When I got my first Bible the first book I read was the book of James. The main scripture that stood out to me was James 2:24 “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” This scripture just really speaks to my heart and reminds me that my actions are my testimony to the world. People may not listen to what I have to say when I share my faith in Christ, but they are ALWAYS watching. This scripture reminds me to always work to be more like Christ.

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!

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“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!

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.

Centering Your Life

What do we center our lives around?

There are so many things going on all of the time, that it is easy to get off track and put different things at the center of our lives. But what if we stop for a moment, and put God at the center of our lives. How much of an impact would we be then?  

Sometimes we don’t realize how many people we impact with our lives (our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors) wouldn’t it be great if they could see God at the center of our lives. Just imagine all of the things we could accomplish for him, and how far we could spread his word.

In the Bible when God tells Moses that he wants him to go into Egypt and lead his people out, Moses asked God what he should say when he was asked who sent him. God simply replied, “Thus you should say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you”(Exodus 3:14). Moses also asked God “Who am I”, Moses felt unworthy of the task, but God had a plan for him. Moses made a HUGE impact because he followed God. Just imagine what we could do if we just follow God.
 
God has a plan for all of us, you may ask yourself the same question, “Who am I”, the answer is; you are the one God has chosen, you are a child of God, and you have the power to change the world and bring Glory to His name.  The gift God has given you, is you.  When we strive to center our lives on God, he will use us for great things.   

To center our lives on God, we first have to do a little cleaning.  We need to clean out the distractions that can often take us off course.  The distraction for you may be too many things on your to-do list.  It may be too many extra curricular activities, too many appointments, or too many group involvements.  Once we clean out the clutter, we can then realize, just as Moses did that God has seen us as worthy to carry out his cause.   

It is so easy to question our qualifications for certain tasks that God lays upon our hearts, but if we center our lives correctly, He will give us everything that we need to fulfill his desires and plan.   

A popular praise and worship song says “Jesus, be the center, be my hope, be my light, Jesus”.  If this is the true desire of our hearts, He will be the center.  We can devote our time to him through worship, study, and prayer.  When we do this, the results will be exceptional.