God's Chisel (Part 2)

Scriptures this week:

Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Are you willing to let God do whatever it takes to make you into His masterpiece?

What would God chisel out of your life? Lust, pride, anger, laziness, business, idols, etc...

Are you trying to control your life by telling God what you are willing to chisel out? 

What is your insanity?  What do you keep doing over and over again expecting a different result?

Inspirational lines from the clip:
God doesn't make junk...
God is a name above all names.  It is more than a Name and more than a saying.
A father disciplines the ones He loves.
YOU are an original masterpiece.
You'd rather play God in certain areas of your life than for Me to be God over your entire life.
You are either moving toward me or away from me, you never just stay.
It's not a sprint it's a marathon. That's what you keep your eye on: heavenward.
You were never holding Me up.  I hold you up!

Blessings!
~ S*

God's Chisel (Part 1)

Below is the video we will be discussing at the Bible Study this week!  I encourage you to watch it and be encouraged!  Discuss it with your friends!  And don't forget to share below what you have discovered in your walk with God through this video!

God loves you!  He only asks you to give up the sinful things in your life because He loves you and wants you to become more like Him! 

Blessings!
~ S*

What's Your Favortie Scripture? (Part 1)

At the Bible study one week we chose to share our favorite passages of scripture and explain why they are important to us.  Below are a few of the scriptures mentioned and some of the thoughts behind them:

1 Peter 1:3-9 This passage is a great reminder of how precious our relationship with God is, and how important our faith in Him is.  Verse seven talks about gold and declares that our faith in God is more valuable than gold.  If you really think about that... Gold is one of the most valuable things in the world today.  All nations use gold and consider it a treasure.  So how ultimately valuable is our faith in God!?!  Verse nine: "The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls."

Matthew 7:1-6 "Do Not Judge Others" This passage brought about a bit of discussion on 1 Corinthians 5 as well.  In 1 Corinthians it talks about expelling the immoral brother.  Verse 12-13a says, "It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside[of the church]..."  So what do you think?  Are we supposed to judge others or not?  After bringing up this question and our discussion, the conclusion I came up with is as follows:

There are times when judging others is appropriate.   We are not supposed to judge others with a prideful "I'm better than you" attitude.  Our judging them should be out of love and having that person's best interests in mind.  It was also brought up that the Bible tells us how to approach a brother who is sinning. (Matthew 18:15-17)  There are certain ways to go about telling the brother.  Don't do it with the intent of getting the person in trouble, but pull him aside quietly to address it in private.  If he refuses to listen, address it with a couple more witnesses.  If he still doesn't listen, it may be necessary to expel that person from the church.  But the intent is never to expel them, it is to save them from their sin.  Also, learn all sides of the story before making a judgment.  Don't be in a hurry to judge someone in a negative light.  They are "innocent until proven guilty".

More to come!  What is your favorite passage of scripture and why?  I'd love to read them below!

Blessings! 

~ S*

A Little Behind...in Modesty

Sorry all for the delay on my post this week (and for the lack of one last week).  A lot's been going on in my life the past couple weeks.  Recently while praying, I felt led to begin a Bible Study here at my house, so that is where I have been putting my energy and efforts.  But I don't want to forget about all of you.

I would like to ask you a few questions I am asking the women coming to the Bible Study.  I would love to hear your thoughts during the next couple days, so that I may be able to share them with the group.  What is your definition of modesty?  One person I asked mentioned a person as their definition.  Another said, "To remain pure, not only in actions but in what you choose to wear and your attitude. (Its not only in clothing) being humble..."  What do you think it means?

What scriptures do you know of that tell us to be modest (in all forms of the word)?  Does the Bible talk about it?  Does it matter?  Why do or don't you think so?

What is the opposite of modesty?  Take the time to ponder it all this week! I look forward to your comments, and next week I plan on sharing what I learned!!

Blessings! 

~ S*

What to do... What to do...

Have you ever wanted to do something more with your life? Recently I have reconsidered starting a group (kinda like a Bible study but a little less... Shall I say... Boring?). I have thought about it in the past, but nothing ever came of my thoughts. My biggest struggle would be who to invite! I have plenty of ideas for the group itself, but who I would invite has been a struggle... Should it be girls only? If it is, where will we hold the group? Should it be for Christians only? Should there be a specific theme (or idea/message) for the group? Should we include guys... If so do we need a male leader of some sort... All kinds of things need to go into something like this.

I would like to create a fun entertaining environment for the group. As I said above, not "Boring". I have been to Bible studies where I am dreading the day when I need to go to it. I have also been to some that I liked, but there wasn't the kind of fellowship that I desired... I am not an outgoing person, so it will take a bit for me to open up to people. I don't want to have a group where we push someone away because they don't feel included. (I have felt that way before.) I want people to be excited about coming, not dreading it! And I think God would like that too.

Do you have any fun ideas for a group? What kind of things would you like to see at a Bible study, or, what I think I will call, a fellowship group? Games of some kind are a must right!?! And we need something to break the ice... What kind of questions should we ask? Let me know your thoughts!

~ S*