Bible Study @ MindSay 
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This series is on the Fruit of the Spirit. See 1 Corinthians. We usually have the same basic notes, and we just note the answers for ourselves. In my case, and I'm sure other people do this, most of my margins are taken up with additional notes about brainbenders people have said.
Tonight we're on gentleness. Or, if you like, meekness/humility. This is a doozy. I've heard a friend say, "Of all the cultures in the world, Americans have to have the hardest time being Christians. You have to submit to someone else, you have to admit that you can't do something on your own, AND you have to admit that there's something wrong with you. Americans can't do that." I don't know how accurate that is, but it made me think. Meekness is not a happy word in our vocabulary.
'Til we started exploring this further and figuring out, by a Christian definition, what meekness is. And contrary to the impression we've got, it doesn't mean having the temperament of Bambi's mother. Rather, it is the kung fu master, who holds the strength, and can recognize when not to use it.
The flip side of that is that if you can recognize when NOT to use it, you also recognize when TO use it - but we only made a note of that, it wasn't our point for tonight.
Meekness was Christ on the cross. He's God's son, he IS God, he has the power to bring himself down, or to call legions upon legions of angels to blast everyone there and carry him away. He's in so much suffering that a new word had to be invented to describe it - "excruciating" literally means "out of the cross". He's in pain beyond anything, he's humiliated, he can't breathe, his skin is hanging in ragged tatters, and he's likely excessively dehydrated. And he made the call, with every breath, that it was more important for him to die this way, for these miserable creations to be saved, than for him to come down.
We were talking about how that applies to us, in marriage (most of us aren't) and work relationships. J summed it up, "Yeah, I could win this argument, but then I'd do some major damage to the relationship." He's made the call to walk out of a fight, to let the other person come out on top, even though he knows he can completely destroy their argument. Not because he's afraid or submissive, but because it's more important to him that this relationship be maintained, and that they find a way to solve this (that's probably going to be longer and take more effort) that allows them to work together.
Strength under control. Having the power, and choosing to walk away from a fight. The kung fu master.
There's a lot of great stuff that was said tonight. I've got one that's definitely going on my quote board, and maybe three.
Britta: "For your own personal health, don't expect to be respected."
That one made us laugh, but she made an impressive point. Respecting the people around you, yes, we're supposed to do that. But as soon as you expect them to respect you back, you're setting yourself up for misery. If they don't, you're going to be irked, and you've effectively given them the power to wreck your day.
That's definitely another brainbender for me. I'll be working on getting my head around that concept for awhile.
I have one section that I'm definitely teaching on if I'm a counselor for the junior high or high school girls this summer. One of the girls read it, and you could see this smile spread around to every woman in the group, and then we all started talking.
By the way, the guys were NOT touching that one. It was talking about beauty of spirit, being more real, lasting longer, and being more attractive than physical beauty. Every guy in the room claimed that touching that one in any way was digging himself a hole.
Which made us laugh more.
There's a lot that we learn during these nights, but also a lot of goofy relationship building. Jared, who's very health conscious, made the celery sing at me when I chose the Oreos instead. Kristina and I were talking about some girl stuff on the stairs, Gabe came up to badger us, was perhaps kicked, and fell back down the stairs to land in a tangle with the bike. We're all in the same discussion during the study, but as soon as we're done, we break off into about six separate conversations, and there's this animated joy that just kinda hangs out in the atmosphere above all of them.
I love this group. :)
Worldwide Grand Bible Exposition!
The Latter Rain...
alvation comes from God, whom the Bible calls as the Living God and Savior. God is employing a human being in order for His will to be fulfilled ... and that is the salvation of man.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will bring two kinds of salvation, through the Bible. At the time He assumed human form, He saved Israel from its sinfulness. That is written in Matthew 1:21, which says-
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
However, when He comes again, for the second time, He will bring salvation to the faithful. And, the Bible is teaching us how we can become one among those people that our Lord Jesus Christ will save come judgment day. The first verse that we have to pay attention to is Ephesians 3:6, which says-
"That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel."
St. Paul, the Apostle, said, "The Gentiles should be fellow heirs." But before we continue analyzing this verse, let us find out from the Bible: who are called "Gentiles" and why are they also called "heirs?" In Ephesians 2:11-12, this is what is written--
"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world."
In those lines, St. Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus of their former conditions. According to the Bible, during those times, "they were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel." Therefore, Biblically speaking, the Gentiles are those who were apart from Christ. They were "strangers from the covenants of promise," ... they were the hopeless, and they were without a God in the world because they were not part of Israel. And we, who live at the present time, may also be called Gentiles if we will use the Bible as our basis.
According to St. Paul, for the Gentiles to be a part of the salvation that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ, they have to be made parts first of the body; and only after that will they become partakers of a promise in Christ by the Gospel.
You will notice that St. Paul made reference to a "body" ... a body into which the Gentiles must integrate themselves so that they also become heirs. The explanation to that may be read in Colossians 1:18-
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."
Therefore, the body whose head is Christ is the CHURCH. At this point, we must understand that the Gentiles, like us, must join the body, or the Church. And when we say that we must join the Church, it means that we no longer have to build any. We no longer have to establish our own church just for us to become partakers of a promise in Christ.
And whenever we say "join," or be a part of the body, of the Church, it denotes that, there is already an existing Church. In fact, this Church already exists even before the promise of salvation was given to the Gentiles. There is an existing Church even before Paul was made apostle. And this was the same Church that our Lord Jesus Christ taught, when he assumed human form. ... And there can never be another church.
Today, there are preachers who claim that another church had appeared in the Philippines. And according to them, this church was different from the one in Israel. If this is the case, it would appear that, despite the fact that there was already a church in Israel, another church appeared in the Philippines. As far as the Bible is concerned, such a belief is wrong because, according to St. Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, in 4:4-
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling."
There is just one body ... there is no other body. And the proof that there is only one body can be read in Colossians 3:15-
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which ye are called in one body; and ye be thankful."
Here, St. Paul is addressing the brethren who, in the beginning were Gentiles, but were eventually called to one body. In other words, the body that the early Christians (the Israelites) made themselves a part of, is also the same body, or church, into which the Gentiles were being called upon to join. Now, if the Gentiles will just integrate themselves to the body, then, the Church will remain ONE.
It is against the teachings of God, and of the Holy Scripture, that other churches is built in other places, let's say in the US, or in England, or in Germany, or in Rome. They also claim that another church had also been founded in the Philippines. The truth is, God did not give any right to anybody to build his own church. It is indeed disgusting that today, a lot of ministers build churches of their own. They deliberately oppose and defy what the Bible said - that, the Gentiles, like us, must join or make ourselves a part of the body, or the Church, for us to be saved.
And what is the reason why we must abide by it? It is because, as far as God is concerned, He did not give anybody His consent to build a church right now in our time. This is what Psalms 127:1 says-
"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that built it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
The verse mentioned of a "house," which becomes useless if it is not built by the Lord. Let us now ask the Bible. What is being referred to as the "house," which only God has the right to build? In I Timothy 3:15, it says-
"But if I tarry long , that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
If you have noticed, in the New Testament, the word house refers to the Church of God. This is, truly, the house of God because it was built by God, Himself. That is why, if, in our time, you come across churches, whose founders are also their ministers, you can be sure that they are NOT REAL!
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Worldwide Reality...
"The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." -Isaiah 52:10
"Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." -Acts 28:28
Grand Bible Expo Here!
Wow. What if someone said that to you at the market, the department store, the skating rink or the restaurant?
Or even at your church?
Advent is a time we have grown away from in many respects. It used to be a time like Lent in many faith traditions. A time to fast, meditate, and work with more dedication on our relationship with our Creator. Too often, today, we tend to fill the weeks with parties, decorating, shopping, and digging out the "holiday colors" to wear. That tie with the holly berries. The pin with the phrase, "He's the Reason for the Season!" There's nothing wrong with these activities, certainly, unless they get in the way of our expectation of celebration. Of the holiness of the holy days. Of enhanced worship of our Lord and Savior.
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he will be returning one day. It is so easy to focus upon Baby Jesus and not upon the Lord of Heaven and his angelic warriors, though those warriors do make a showing in the traditional Christmas Story as found in the Gospel of Luke. They appeared first to shepherds, who were the first men on earth given the opportunity to share their personal testimonials of an encounter with Jesus. Later, after Jesus' death, testimonies became numerous. Lives were changed. The word was spread and is still spreading.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering, 6 since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, 8 taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction, away from the Lord's presence and from His glorious strength, 10 in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
11 And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (HCSB)
We serve an almighty Ruler. The Ancient of Days. The holy King. These days are to be holy. We are to be seeking, today and every day, to share our testimony of our encounter with Jesus. He is coming soon, to be admired, Paul says, by all who have believed. Why? Because of the word of our testimony. Jesus would have us pray for one another, so that his name is glorified. Glorified by our lives, lived in holiness. Lived by grace.
It is that grace that we are to share with others, and the Happy Holy Days of these weeks is a lovely time in which to do so. May we all be counted worthy of God's kingdom. May we all, this Advent season and always, live so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in us according to his grace.
May your celebration of these holy days bring you happiness.
Happy Holidays!
BUT
I have no problem being told what to teach.
So when I am asked to participate in a group (such as with the preteen girls' lock-in a couple months back) and assigned a portion of scripture or a concept to teach, I am enthusiastic.
Just so long as I don't get, "Say this and then say this and then..." I mean, if someone has to give me that much direction, why entrust me with teaching?
I have recently been asked to contribute to a daily Advent series in another blogging community. The request was for me to choose a day from those listed (I chose December 9th), and to use one of a set of scriptures listed in a particular lectionary, though I may use whatever Biblical translation I wish to present it. Oh, and one more thing: I should keep it on the short side. ;-)
The scripture I have chosen from the list supplied is this:
2 Thessalonians 1:5 It is a clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering, 6 since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to reward with rest you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels, 8 taking vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction, away from the Lord's presence and from His glorious strength, 10 in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
11 And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, I just need to pray and think short, devotional thoughts...
The key at Advent is that we are to be in an attitude of enhanced daily worship, as far as I can see. Much as it is with Lent before Easter in some faith traditions, Advent is a time to work on our relationship with our Creator, to worship him and give thanks for his coming. For loving us enough to give up all...just for us.
In the lives of each of us, every day.
This is the theme for the preteen girls' lock-in this weekend. I have been given the responsibility to begin the evening (not because I'm awesome, but because I didn't want to stay all night. I am a wimp!) with background for the book of Joshua and for teaching the first chapter of that book.
I am really excited.
It's wonderful, to me, to have a series of lessons for girls that tells them to be strong and courageous. A reminder to the young women of tomorrow that they are accountable for their actions under God Almighty but that they are not now and will never be alone when they do what must be done in their lives.
The key to the chapter, aside from being told to be Strong and Courageous (four times this is repeated in eighteen verses), is that God is fulfilling his promise to the Israelites. He is giving them land as far as they can step, whatever they can see, in a vast area. And on this land, they will be able to REST.
What does God require from these people? That they listen to him. Obey him. Teach his words to the next generation. This is a book (like much of the Old Testament) that is meant to be spoken out loud. Shared orally. Repeated, memorized, passed along. Memorization of oral tradition is an outstanding brain-trainer. It may seem like "rote learning" and therefore downplayed, but for lessons and laws and wise sayings, it is outstanding. Hear and repeat. Hear and repeat. Over and over until it is in your brain like your name, so that you can remember it always and forever.
That is what God wants. He wants his word to be known. Obeyed. He wants his people to love him enough to share what they learn with their children, so that the relationship might be perpetuated. He wants to give his people a lovely land and let them rest in that relationship. And when trials come -- for they will -- he asks that his people be strong and courageous. Trust in the strength God has given them. Trust and be brave in the knowledge that the Lord their God has gone before them already.
What an awesome lesson to teach girls. It's going to be a good lock-in. Even if I'm not there for most of it. :)
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