Friday, February 15, 2013
Caffeinated in the Word - It Begins.....
A few weeks ago I wrote about the campaign my church was participating in during the 40 days of Lent. We are participating in 40 Days in the Word. I am excited to participate with my church. I am praying that this will lead to a spiritual renewal in our church. That people would be so filled and learn so much from the experience. That they would become a home for God. I know this is a personal prayer for me.
To be honest, I can tell you that I am part of a Good Morning Girls group and have been for the past year. I have grown to love these women and have watched God work in each of our lives. I have to admit, however, that I don't always do my study. I notice a great difference in my day when I am in the Word, compared to when I am not. For example, earlier this week I was able to wake up early and get my study done. By mid week I slept in and everything slid downhill from there. I know it is because there is a difference in my attitude when I am in the word, than when I am not. It's not that I have ceased to trust God or lean on Him. It's not that I cease to pray or worship Him. I feel more level. I feel strengthened. I feel prepared.
and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3: 15-17 NIV84
When we are in the Word daily we are equipped. We are prepared to face all that the world throws at us. In fact His word is the weapon of the armour that protects us.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Epheisans 6:13-17 NIV84
I didn't grow up in a home that lived by the Word. We had a Bible. It was on my Grandmother's jewelry box. It had some pretty pictures of Jesus (hippy white guy), David killing Goliath, and Adam and Eve. I thought it had some good stories that we sometimes watched on TV (think Ten Commandments). That is what I was taught the Bible was, a good book of stories. It wasn't until I attended a Catholic Church when I was 8 that I began to learn more about the Bible and it's ramifications. God then became the father figure I had had, one of vengeance, anger and unforgiveness. I lived with this God for years. It wasn't until I met my husband and took the Alpha course that this God image was destroyed and I began looking at my Bible as more than just a book of stories, but actual truth and guidance. I began a love of reading my Bible and studying it. I participated in numerous Bible studies when I first came to faith so that I could learn more. That love of study continues to this day. I continue to learn and question and be lead to truths that God reveals to me.
If you are participating along with me, there are daily verses to study and meditate upon. The study method that they recommend is the Pronounce It Method. I will see how that works. I may switch over to the SOAP method, as it is the one I enjoy. I don't think the method matters as much as the study.
This weeks daily verses are:
Day 1: Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philipians 1:6 (NIV)
Day 2: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.(Philippians 1:27a (NIV)
Day 3: For God is working in you giving you the desire and the power to what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
Day 4: ....I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 b (NIV)
Day 5: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Day 6: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Day 7: My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches to Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)There is also a memory every week. This week's verse is:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16a (NIV)I think to prove that I am memorizing the verse, that I will vlog it. This will keep me accountable to not just my Church but also to you.
I hope you join me on this journey. However, if you aren't don't worry. I still want to hear your randomness. I learn so much from each of you every week.
What are your first memories of the Bible? What are you hoping to get out this or any Bible study that you participate in? Come link up with the other Java Junkies this week.
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- Michelle
- Alberta, Canada
- I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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2 comments:
We have a similar background as in being raised in a non-christian home and then attending Catholic school/church. I found some roots in the Catholic church that were further developed in a positive way as I grew in my relationship with Christ when I did become a Christian years later. Blessings to you as you delve into the word this Lenten season!
I grew up in a Catholic home. We went to church every Sunday but noone opened a bible at home, except for my grandmother's bible in the entry hall. However, because of my parent's divorce - and my brokenness even as a child, in the school (where we went to mass once a week), I reached for this Father God who met me at school, in my back yard - and just was "with" me - and I think that made all the difference.I didn't understand who I was to the Father - that came later:) Thank you for sharing your story,your journey. It is awesome to see where we started and where He has taken us.
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