Bible Study 4 Women

Additional Thoughts

2011-04-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

I have used this site for several months for my notes on the study of the Gospel of John from my Sunday group, but if you are interested in some of my 'general thoughts' about things spiritual go to my blog www.biblestudy2women.blogspot.com once in a while.

John 20:19-31- Part 3 - We Serve a LIVING God!

2011-04-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

A quote from John McArthur” Now it's interesting also that when Jesus appears in all of these eleven that we know about, He appears only to His own. He never appears to unbelievers. He never appears to the scribes and Pharisees and says, "Ha, I told you, here I am, you didn't believe." He never does that. He appears only to those who are His own.”

Some of the key things to focus on:

Why did Jesus show Himself? Was it necessary? Did he ever show Himself to unbelievers?

“Peace” vs 19, 21, 28. What type of peace?

Jesus shows His physical body – He is not returned in spirit form.

Notice emotions…fear… ‘were glad’, etc…

Vs 22 – Have you ever heard a sermon on this verse? What is this ‘breathed on them”?

Vs 23 Have you ever heard a sermon on this verse? What is the ‘forgiveness’? As humans, do we really have the authority to forgive anyone?

VS 30-31…are key verses….why John wrote the book….what might he have left out?

Think about Thomas - was his disbelief a sign of lack faith? Would you have believed the story of Jesus bodily return if you had been Thomas, and not seen it for yourself? Perhaps Thomas is an example of some of us who take longer, or need more to come to saving/believing faith.

ADDITIONAL

THE APPEARANCES OF JESUS – We serve a LIVING GOD!

To Mary Magdalene

To the 12 and Thomas – John 19, 1 Cor 15:4

To the seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee

To 500 in Galilee….1 Cor. 15:6

To James in Jerusalem and Bethany 1 Cor 15:7

To many at the ascension Acts 1:3-12

To Steven when he was stoned to death Acts 7:55

Paul near Damascus - Acts 9:3-6; 1 Cor 15:8 (many scholars believe that Paul spend a lengthy time with Jesus (personally) right after he was commissioned by Jesus – perhaps in the desert)

To John the writer, at Patmos Rev. 1:10-19

John 20 - part 2

2011-04-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

John 20: 1:11-18
Remember to record the resources that you used as you studied.

Use your Stop! Look! Listen! technique. Read the verses with new eyes, slowly and several times, look for words you might not understand, etc…

There always seems to be some question/confusion about the women and Mary coming to the tomb. Mary sees Jesus when she is alone. The women see Jesus and it does not seem that Mary is there…. Do some research to figure this out….why? People will always point to ‘inconsistencies’ in Scripture – and you will be able to answer this one. (See below)

Jesus calls Mary "woman" and then by her name...why?

What are some reasons that she did not recognize Him?

What did Jesus mean when He spoke about ‘do not touch me’…later He would let Thomas touch Him>

LISTEN -
What if this part of the story had been left out of Scripture….what would we have missed out on? Why do we need all this detail?
What is God trying to teach us?
How will the study of these verses impact my view of ‘Easter”?

One probable answer to the ‘confusion of the women’ verses:
Mary goes and sees the two angels and the empty tomb.
She runs to tell the men
On the way she passes the women who are coming and tells them about the empty tomb
Mary goes on to tell the men…..The women get to the tomb and see the angels
Mary tells Peter and John and the men run to the tomb.
Mary goes back later and sees the Risen Lord – He tells her He has risen.

John 20 Part 1

2011-04-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

Basic Outline Questions

John 20: 1-10 (and Luke 24:9-12)

Notice the same story in Luke 24:9-12 – different details…..why the difference?

Notice the characters involved.( not just Mary Magdalene ….Mary Magdalene goes back and sees Jesus…we will study that next week) – the women….Mary Magdalene, Joanna(hmmmm who is this??) , Mary the mother of James (not of James and John, but James” the less or younger”), “and the other women with them.) (Women were important in Gods plan to show that Jesus had risen – and to go and tell) See if you can find any resources that show the relationship between all these people…..

Use your Stop! Look! Listen! technique. Read the verses with new eyes, slowly and several times, look for words you might not understand, etc…

Vs 2,3,4,8 etc… who is this unnamed disciple? Why does the writer, John, just come right out and identify this man?

Where were the followers of Jesus during this time?

Write out verse 8 for emphasis

LISTEN -
What if this part of the story had been left out of Scripture….what would we have missed out on?
What is God trying to teach us?
How will the study of these verses impact my view of ‘Easter”?

Next week we will study vs 11-18 and focus in on Jesus and His appearance to a women, Mary Magdalene, before any of the men…

John 19 Part 2 and 3

2011-03-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

Part 2 John 19: 31 - 42
Remember to record the resources that you used as you studied.

Follow your Stop! Look! Listen! outline…

Note the titles or names given to Jesus – given by others, and Himself. What does each one mean?

Where were the followers of Jesus during this time?

I might want to know about the ‘broken legs’ and the soldiers casting lots for the clothing. Why would John/God have wanted us to have this information?

Vs 35 -37 are important ‘because” verses. What information do they give us?(Remember John’s theme/purpose for writing)

Vs 38+ Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? What do I need to know about them?

Notice that John’s description of the last days of Jesus are somewhat different in detail than the other gospels. He leaves some things out, and adds others. Always remember the purpose of John in his writing…how does he accomplish his purpose by telling the details that he did include?

Did John accomplish his purpose in this section?

LISTEN

What is God trying to teach us in these verses?

How does 2 Tim 3:16 apply to these verses?

How can I apply these verses to my life today?

John 19: 17-30

Remember to record the resources that you used as you studied.

Follow your Stop! Look! Listen! outline…

Note the titles or names given to Jesus – given by others, and Himself. What does each one mean?

Vs 20 states that the sign over Jesus was in three languages…why Greek? Why Latin?
Vs 22 why might Pilate have refused to change the sign over Jesus?
Vs 23 – 24 why would John have included this information?

Where were the followers of Jesus during this time?

Vs 25-26 Think about the three women mentioned. We know quite a bit about Jesus’ mother, and Mary Magdalene…what about the other Mary? Who is the ‘disciple that Jesus loved best?’

Vs 28… notice ‘ knowing that all these things were accomplished…’

Vs 30 What is “finished?”

Where were all the other followers/supporters of Jesus?

Notice that John’s description of the last days of Jesus are somewhat different in detail than the other gospels. He leaves some things out, and adds others. Always remember the purpose of John in his writing…how does he accomplish his purpose by telling the details that he did include?

As a side study read Psalm 22 and Is 53….not only are these verses very descriptive of what is taking place in chapters 19 and 20, but they also show us prophecy coming true. We will look at them in class during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

LISTEN
A forth gospel…how is this different, and if it had not been written what would we have missed out on?

What is God trying to teach us in these verses?

How does 2 Tim 3:16 apply to these verses?

How can I apply these verses to my life today?

PART 2
John 19: 17-30
Remember to record the resources that you used as you studied.

Follow your Stop! Look! Listen! outline…

Note the titles or names given to Jesus – given by others, and Himself. What does each one mean?

Vs 20 states that the sign over Jesus was in three languages…why Greek? Why Latin?
Vs 22 why might Pilate have refused to change the sign over Jesus?
Vs 23 – 24 why would John have included this information?

Where were the followers of Jesus during this time?

Vs 25-26 Think about the three women mentioned. We know quite a bit about Jesus’ mother, and Mary Magdalene…what about the other Mary? Who is the ‘disciple that Jesus loved best?’

Vs 28… notice ‘ knowing that all these things were accomplished…’

Vs 30 What is “finished?”

Where were all the other followers/supporters of Jesus?

Notice that John’s description of the last days of Jesus are somewhat different in detail than the other gospels. He leaves some things out, and adds others. Always remember the purpose of John in his writing…how does he accomplish his purpose by telling the details that he did include?

As a side study read Psalm 22 and Is 53….not only are these verses very descriptive of what is taking place in chapters 19 and 20, but they also show us prophecy coming true. We will look at them in class during these weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

LISTEN
A forth gospel…how is this different, and if it had not been written what would we have missed out on?

What is God trying to teach us in these verses?

How does 2 Tim 3:16 apply to these verses?

How can I apply these verses to my life today?

Study of John Chapter 19 - part I

2011-03-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

A Change of Direction
In class on Sunday we discussed that “Resurrection Sunday” will be here in a few weeks-April 24th. I proposed that we skip ahead and study John Chapters 19 and 20 as we come upon that day. By the time April 24th arrives we will be ready to really worship our Lord for what He did for us.

We will study in short bites of Scripture….15-20 verses each week. Lets begin.

Here is a brief outline of the technique that I use in study. I will not repeat writing it for each study, but you will know where I am coming from.

Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline

(We will go into much detail for each section at a later date)

STOP! Pray before you begin. Remember to keep a list of all the resources you use to study/gain information.

1. Ask why I am studying this topic/book? What do I already know about it?

2. Who is the author? Why did he write it?

3. General reading and overview of the entire section/chapter/book for general information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.

4. Stop! when God explains something with - “because” “for, “so that,” etc…

5. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list.

6. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?

LOOK!

1. Read it again. For John, make a list of all the titles for Jesus.

2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section.

3. Look Left! Look Right! What came before? What came after?

4. Ask questions. Make charts as necessary.

5. How does 2 Tim. 3:16 apply to these verses?

6. Do I see any “precepts”, “practices” “principles” or “progressive revelation”?

LISTEN!
1. Read it again.

2. Why did God give us this story?

3. What if this story had been left out of Scripture?

4. How do I apply this story to my life today?

Chapter 19: 1-16

Remember to record the resources that you used as you studied.

Since we are jumping to chapter 19 we must ask….what has happened to bring Jesus to this point? He stands before Pilate…..what events brought Him to this encounter? (This is the second time Jesus has come before Pilate.)

This section recounts the ‘rejection’ of Jesus. Who are the main characters? Who was Pilate? Who are the Jews that are mentioned? Who are the soldiers?

Note the titles or names given to Jesus – given by others, and Himself. What does each one mean?

This chapter is full of emotion: hate, anger, fear, etc…. Who is fearful? Why? Who is angry? Why? Who seems calm and at peace during all of this…why?

Where were the followers of Jesus during this time?

Notice the politics/political correctness!!

I will be looking up the word ‘blasphemy’ to find out what it means in this particular context. ). In a thesaurus it is described as a profanity, a sacrilege, swear word, or an irreverence. How did Jesus commit ‘blasphemy?’ (Jo. 8:58-59)

Pilate asks a strange question in verse 9.

Jesus spoke up in the section before chapter 19, why might He have remained silent now?

LISTEN - just 16 verses…but how can I apply these to my life today? How will the study of these chapters impact my celebration of "Resurrection Sunday" this year?

John 1:19-35

2011-03-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

John 1:19-35 Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study

STOP! Ask: Which Bible translation am I using, and why? Read each word slowly and make a list of those words/concepts that you do not fully understand.

Read the verses. Slow down and read each word. This is the general overview section.

LOOK!
Here is where you do your main research. Begin by reading it again. Again look for words you do not understand; also look for special words like “because”, “for,” when it means because, and “but.”

Research the words/concepts you noted that you do not fully understand.

Ask and answer questions from what you have read:

The writer goes from saying that Jesus is God, and "was there in the beginning," right to the baptism of Jesus. Why might he have left out the story of Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth (she did figure into this part of the story if you remember her relationsiip to John the baptizer.)

Who did the Jews mean when they spoke of the "Christ," "Elijah" and "the Prophet?"

Who is the "John"? What is his relationship to Jesus?

Verse 29 is a key verse. Jesus is telling them that salvation is not just for the Jews. Who is the Lamb and why is that title used?

VS 31 mentions ‘Israel.” What is the context? What does this verse mean?

What titles are given to Jesus in these verses? What do they represent?

Notice the mention of the Holy Spirit…this is the first time the HS is really mentioned to the people.

How is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 applied to these verses?

Do you see any “practice” “principle” “precepts” or “progressive revelation”?

How did the author accomplish his point/purpose in these verses? John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25 Do we see Jesus as God here? Who testifies that Jesus is God in this portion of Scripture?

LISTEN! This is the most important section of our study. Why bother to study if we are not going to “Listen” and apply God’s Word to our lives?
Always ask:
What is God trying to say to me?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
How can I apply these verses to my life today in 2011?

Lets Start the Gospel of John - and the Four "P's

2011-02-25T12:40:00.000-08:00

John 1:1-18 Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study

Lets actually use what we have discussed over the past few weeks and do a little Bible Study!! (I always use a NKJ version – so some of your wording may not be the same as mine.) We will begin with just a few verses and progress on to entire chapter studies. As you study please keep a list of resources you might use….internet, concordance, Bible dictionary, etc…. you might need to go back and find these later.

These may be very familiar verses to some of us, but lets look at them with new eyes.

STOP! Ask:
Which Bible translation am I using, and why?
Who wrote this book and why? In many of the New Testament books and letters the author will actually tell why he wrote it…. (hint hint - John 20:30-31 and 21:24-25). Keep this in mind as we study each chapter – we will ask “How did the author make his point/purpose in these verses?”

Read the verses. Slow down and read each verse. Make note of any words/concepts you do not understand – you will research these in the ‘LOOK’ phase. (For example – do you know what “Word” and “Light” mean? Why a capital “L”? ) This is the general overview section.

LOOK! Here is where you do your main research. Begin by reading it again. Again look for words you do not understand; also look for special words like “because”, “for,” when it means because, and “but.” These words all signal important information, or relationships.

Research the words/concepts you noted that you do not fully understand.
Ask and answer questions from what you have read; for example: Who is the He/Him mentioned (should be written in caps)? Re-read these verses and replace the name of the person where the He or Him as in the sentence. This makes the verses come alive with understanding.

Who is this John in these verses? John the author, or someone else?
If I was doing this study I might also write downto research “bosom of the Father, and ‘begotten.”

How is 2 Tim. 3:16-17 applied to these verses?

Do you see any “practice” “principle” “precepts” or “progressive revelation”?(If you missed the class when we discussed this....it is posted at the end of this lesson)

How did the author make his point/purpose in these verses?

LISTEN! This is the most important section of our study. Why bother to study if we are not going to “Listen” and apply God’s Word to our lives?
Always ask:
What is God trying to say to me?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
How can I apply these verses to my life today in 2011?

Four Ps of Bible Study

We learn from Scripture by other ways than there being direct commands or statements. These are the "four p's"

As we study Scripture, look for the “Four P’s.” Not all sections of Scripture that you study will have each, or even one of these...but Look for:

Practice what is the ongoing custom or tradition that is repeated? What can we learn from this that will influence our understanding of the story? The practice of male leadership. Jesus prayed. Practice is something tangiible that can be seen; an action. The point is we are given an example to follow. “Practice” also teaches us something about history….manners and customs… Why is it important to look for these?

Precept a specific rule, command, instruction. Are any given? Thou shalt not kill. Wives and husbands are told to love each other and to be submissive to each other….”husbands love your wives as you love yourself and as Christ loved the church…” Why is it important for us to look for these precepts?

Principle a belief, a standard. A general truth. A fundamental assumption. "Principle" is not tangible. A generally acceptable rule of action or behavior, i.e. moral principles. General biblical principles might include the Trinity (the word “trinity” never appears in Scripture”, the sovereignty of God (as seen in the story of Esther – thought never called the sovereignty of God…. Why is it important for us to look at any principles?

Progressive Revelation information that is unveiled a little at a time. Genesis through Revelation slowly unveils teachings of the Messiah to come. Daniel and Joel, and others, give us some information, but it does not all come together until the book of Revelation. The Gospels unveil the Messiah. Revelation then ties up all the loose ends with the actual unveiling of the King of Kings who returns again to the earth for one last time.
Much of prophecy is ‘progressive revelation.’ Why is looking for progressive revelation important?

Go to my Feb. 19 post that suggests resources you might use for study/research.

2 Tim. 3:16-17

2011-02-21T04:42:00.001-08:00

It is important to understand these verses because we will use the verse in each of our studies...it will appear iin the "LOOK!" section of our technique.

Stop! Look! Listen!

General Outline – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

We will go into much detail for each section at a later date

STOP! LOOK! LIISTEN! This technique can be used on a chapter, an entire book, or even just one verse. Let’s practice one verse… These verses are two of the most often quoted verses in the church. Why?

STOP! Pray before you begin

1. Which translation are you using and why? Does it matter?

2. Ask why I am studying this topic? What do I already know about it?

3. Who is the author of this section of Scripture? Why did he write it?

4. General reading and overview of the entire chapter/book for general information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.

5. Stop! at - “because” “for, “so that,” and 'but'... etc… what is being said?

6. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list. Do you understand all the words in this verse? How will you go about doing research in the LOOK section?

LOOK!
1. Read it again.

2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section. What does the word actually mean…”all”, “inspiration,” “doctrine, “reproof,” “correction,” “righteousness,” “thoroughly equipped” etc… Some of you will want to look these words up in a concordance, or word study book, dictionary, etc… What do these words really?

3. Look Left! Look Right! What verses came before? What verses came after? How do they all fit together?

4. These verses are two of the most often quoted verses in the church. Why?

5. What do these verses say about Scripture that should make you want to study it more, and to apply it to your life?

LISTEN!

1. Read it again

2. Why did God give us this verse?

3. What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?

4. How do I apply these verses to my life today?

Go to my Feb. 19 post that suggests resources you might use for study/research.

Online Resources

2011-02-19T04:25:00.001-08:00

Good sties for reference. I might use these when I research.

http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/mcgee/ J Vernon McGee****

www.biblegateway.com Matthew Henry****

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries....... Lists several writers….AND you can do an actual word search if you us the ROBERTSON’s Word Picture. Stick with men you know like Henry and Scofield. ****

http://www.biblebb.com/brefindex/joh.htm Commentary by CH Spurgeon****

**** Know who you are reading on the internet. Don’t forget there will be cult writers, whose doctrine we do not follow, that have as many websites as mainline Christians. These are examples of a few I know and trust. There are others writers and sites. Let me know if you find any other good sites.

Romans 12 - Stop! Look! Listen!

2011-02-13T10:38:00.000-08:00

Here is a 'general' outline of the SLL technique for our study this week. We will go into much more detail in each phase....this is just a beginning. Do what you can. Please do at least look over what sort of things we are looking for/studying, and please do read over the entire chapter 12 of Romans.

Stop! Look! Listen!
General Outline – Romans 12

(We will go into much detail for each section at a later date)

STOP! Pray before you begin.

1. Which translation are you using? Why?

2. Ask why I am studying this topic/book? What do I already know about it?

3. Who is the author of this section of Scripture? Why did he write it?

4. General reading and overview of the entire chapter/book for general
information. Read slowly and purposefully. Read every word.

5. Stop! when God explains something with - “because” “for, “so that,” etc…

6. Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list.

7. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?

LOOK!

1. Read it again.

2. Research the study words/concepts from the Stop! section.

3. Look Left! Look Right! What came before? What came after?

4. Ask questions. Make charts as necessary.

5. How does 2 Tim. 3:16 apply?

LISTEN!
1. Read it again.

2. Why did God give us this story?

3. What if this story had been left out of Scripture?

4. How do I apply this story to my life today?

First Part of the SLL Study

2011-02-06T11:27:00.000-08:00

Psalm 119: 1-40
“STOP” Study
Bible Study is hard work, it is not casual, recreational reading. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture.

One simple method of personal Bible Study is the “Stop – Look – Listen” technique. Many of us grew up with our parents teaching us to “Stop-Look- Listen” as we cross a busy street. This little childhood phrase can guide our steps not only across the street, but in our personal Bible Study. It is easy to remember, and we can “take it” with us anywhere!

The STOP! phase is first. Here you get an over view of your verses and begin to note what is important, and perhaps what you do not really understand.

STOP! Pray before you begin.

1. Who wrote what you are reading? Why was it written? What is the ‘background’ of what you are reading?

2. Read Ps 119: 1-40. Read it slowly and purposefully. Read every word (now that sounds silly, but most of us rush through our reading and miss out on some important words.)

Ask why I am studying this topic/section of Scripture? What do I already know about this topic/Section of Scripture?

General reading and overview. Write! Write! Write! Take notes. The more your write and interact with your study, the more you will remember.

Stop when God explains something with the words- “because” “for, “ so that,” “but”, etc… and look closely at the verse.

Pick out key words and concepts that you do not understand. Just make a list. For instance, may Bibles will note these words in Ps119 vs 1 “Aleph”, vs 9 “Beth” vs 17 “Gimel, vs25 “Daleth”, vs 33 “He”….do you know what these mean?

7. Look for repeated words or phrases – these are keys to understanding.

8. Scan the horizon – where does this take place? Is geography important?(There is no mention of geography in Ps 119)

Remember….this is just the first step in ‘digging deeper’
In the next step we will do the research needed, we will ask/answer questions, etc….. Also, I am going to teach you how to ‘have fun’ studying Scripture!!

Hey Fairview Gals!

2011-01-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

Our first meeting was great today! Thanks for coming - and may we share many days of study together! The home study - As Southern Baptists we believe that Scripture is true, without error, and inspired. The verses below are what the SB base their claim upon. Taken from the "Baptist Faith and Message" - look up these verses and see what Scripture says about itself:

Exodus 24:4;
Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19;
Joshua 8:34;
Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140;
Isaiah 34:16; 40:8;
Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32;
Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29;
Luke 21:33; 24:44-46;
John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17;
Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11;
Romans 15:4; 16:25-26;
2 Timothy 3:15-17;
Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12;
1 Peter 1:25;
2 Peter 1:19-21

Don't forget our class motto "Bible Study is just that...STUDY"

Does Your Pastor Challenge You?

2010-12-07T04:48:00.000-08:00

I love my pastor. Not only is he a nice person, but he is a Godly man. He "walks the walk" and teaches us how to do so.

Does your pastor challenge you each week as he speaks from the pulpit? Do you come away from his messages thinking about what he has to say, and changing some aspect of you life? My pastor does challenge us, he teaches us what Scripture says about Godly living, and I go home thinking (and praying) about how to live a life that is more Christ-centered. I come away wanting to be more obedient to the things of Christ.

I have heard the Word of God. I think that is a big part of why Scripture tells us to "gather together. ' We hear Gods word. "Hearing" is the key word here. Over and over in Scripture we are reminded that the world must 'hear' the word. The "world" includes you and me. If we hear, there must be a reason...we are not just to be entertained, but the hearing must lead to some application to our lives, to help us live more as Jesus would have us live here on earth.

Why hear the word? To learn what God has to say to us, and to learn how to live in the ungodly world around us. Our actions, our activities, our works do not draw us closer to God; because we love God we should want to be different, live differently from the world.

Now, if you do not feel challenged - if you do not come away from his messages thinking about how to apply what you have heard to you own life...two things may be the reason:

1) His message is faulty. He may not preach in such a way to challenge you. I have moved around the country several times in the past six years. I have had several different pastors. Not all are powerful, 'pound the pulpit' preacers, but they have told the truth, and have told us how to live Godly lives. Powerful or puney in delivery, these men have challenged us and told us what the Word of God says about living in this sinful world.

Many pastors today do not want to upset the congregation - they only want to 'tickle the ears' of the hearers. They may believe they must be politically correct in everything they say, and not offend any one. If you ave a pastor like that you might seriously consider looking for another Bible believing church that preaches the truth - not just 'feel good', messages. Yes, our leaders are to encourage us to live in this world, and to get us through the next seven days until we come together again, but he is also to reprove and correct us....so... if you are not being challenged...it might be his fault.

2) Not challenged? It might not be the fault of the pastor - it might be your fault. Why you go to church? For most of us it is our weekly routine - we forget that the reason that we go to worship service is just that - to worship our LORD. We actually go into the presence of God. He wants us to gather together for some reason...to speak to us.

Do you come away from the service thinking about what was said. Many times we walk away thinking, "He isn't talking about me," or " I don't agree with what he was saying."

Maybe the fault is ours. If we love our leader and believe that he is a man of God - then we really ought to pay attention to what he is saying.

What do you do while he is preaching? Have you ever thought about taking notes? If you were sitting in a class to learn a new skill you would probably take notes...for two reasons - not to forget what was said, and, to study those notes for the test that would be given. Taking notes helps to keep you focused.

Maybe paying attention in worship service, even taking notes, would help us understand, and be able to remember what was said that day.

What about the attitude of our hearts? Do we come to service with the expectation of learning how to live a more Godly life? Do we come wanting to change our actions so that we are more like Jesus every day?

If you are not challenged each week by your Pastor's message - either get a new pastor, or get a new attitude. Pray Pray Pray.

I Forgot to Ask This Week....

2010-09-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

Is this the day you will come to Jesus?

Gods Words to Women

2010-07-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Instructions from God’s Word for Women
A Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study

Lets see how the SLL technique can be used to study a ‘theme.’ What does Scripture says to women about attitude and actions?

Titus Chapter 2; 1 Tim.2:8-15; 1 Tim.5:3-16.

These verses are directions for two young church pastors….Timothy and Titus. Timothy was the pastor at Ephesis, Titus at Cyprus. Paul is telling them how to organize and run a church…..what do we see?
DAY 1
STOP!
Stop to pray. These are verses specifically giving directions to women – telling women how to live the Christian life….in the early church….and today.
Read all the verses. Mark all words that you would like to research in detail. God gives many specific action words for women…do you really know what “slander”,” “reverent,” “discreet” mean. What about others?
Look for all the ‘because,’ ‘ for,’ (when it means because” and ‘but’ verses.
What other words will you ‘word search?’ For this study I will also word search___________________ and___________________________________.
“Look right, look left”. To get the general context, general discussion, you might read the verses directly before and after each of these sections of Scripture.

Day 2
LOOK!
Read the verses again. Research the words listed above in the STOP section.
Most of these verses are commands. We are commanded to live a certain way. Ask where these actions are to take place? Are these actions only to take place in church? Only at home?
Titus 2 What is ‘sound doctrine’ ? What about the verse that says ‘homemakers” and “love” their families?____________________________________________________________.

Day 3
I notice many “lists” of actions. Write them out.

Look for verses that explain “why” these actions are important, and what are the results of these actions will be. (Yes there are specific verses for these – Titus 2:5)

1 Tim 2:8-15 - why is attire mentioned?
Write out 1 Tim 2:10_______________________________________.
(For a side study, read the instructions for men and compare the lists. How are they similar? Different?)

DAY 4
Read the verses again. These verses are directions for two young church pastors….Timothy and Titus. Paul is telling them how to organize and run a church…..what do we see?

1. The secular, and church, world today is stressing that there is no equality for women in service to the church…..that men lord it over women and are more capable for service. The world says the Paul, the writer, did not like women and was always putting women in a subservient role. Do we see this in Scripture?______________________________________________________
2. WHY should women act in this manner in the home, or church….or in the work place?

3. Are these verses in any way indicating that women are weaker than men? Less able to serve God than men? That men are more important? Where does it say that men are the only ones capable for ministry? For service? ________________________________________________

We will NOT look at the “4 P’s” This is all “precept” (commands).

DAY 5
LISTEN!
What can we learn from these verses and apply to our lives.
1. How does 2 Tim 3:16-17 apply ______________________________________________

2. Why did God give us these verses_____________________________________________

3. What if we did not have these verses?__________________________________________

4. Are these verses for younger women only? Older women only? How does it apply to you TODAY?

5. What changes might you make in your life today from studying these verses.

One of the things that stands out for me is...older women teaching younger women. In many of our churches, cell groups, home groups, Sunday School classes (whatever you call them), are divided up by age. This is important for many reasons, but I have always thought that we need to bring women together of all ages to fellowship and study. Many younger women might need the touch from a godly older woman who has gone through many of the same life and spiritual struggles.

At the age of 42, when I was born again, I really needed some help. Right away my life changed at work, home, etc.... there was no one to help. I was at an overseas location and was one of the 'older' women around. I now know that God did bring one older women, Lois Calhoun, into my life in a passing way, some of the things she said to me, some action she taught me, are evident in my life every day. (For those who know me...I go out to study each day at a place away from home because Lois Calhoun told me that was how she studied) Thank you God from bringing me an 'older women' when I needed it most. Let me be an 'older woman' to some other young lady.

WOW!!!! How can I live up to all of this. Help me Jesus to be faithful to You, and grow to be more like you want me….every moment of every day.

Michal - First Wife of King David

2010-06-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

1 Sam. 14:49; 18: 20-28; 19:11-17; 25:44; 2 Sam. 3:13-14; 6:16-23; 21:8
1 Chron. 15:29.

Michal was the first wife of King David – and she helped ‘save the seed.’

DAY 1
STOP!
Pray, asking God to guide your study.
Read all the verses marking your ‘special words.’ Mark “because” “for” when it means because, and ‘but.’ Also mark at least two of your favorite words. (If you do not have any idea what to look for, go back to the two previous studies, and use something from those lists.) (Go to the post for 5/21/10 to see information on word searches...Bible Reading Can Be Fun!)

For this study I also choose to word search __________________________ and ___________. Did you learn anything interesting?

Note any words or phrases that you do not fully understand, or would like to research. (You will research these tomorrow.)

DAY 2
LOOK!
Research the words that you noted above. Note the genealogy:
1 Sam 14:49. What might her relationship with her sister have been? Her brothers? Who were some of her brothers?
Her father? (Her life was like a modern-day soap opera!!)

DAY 3 The Marriage
David was given Michal for his wife as a reward for service. (Some say that Saul wanted to "keep his friends close, and his enemies closer.)
1 Sam.18:17-28 Scripture never indicates that David loved her in any way. This was common in ancient days – marriage made for political importance. I wonder how the women/men felt about this. Today our views of marriage are all about “love”.

David had many wives. Name two women(other wives) that Michal might have known in the palace. What might she have thought of them/their stories?

Here is another woman who was very much a part of Gods plan for Israel.Think of
all the things that Michal saw/heard/experienced, starting from the slaying of the giant. List a few:

DAY 4 Michal saves David
Here Michal “saved the seed.” How? What does this mean? I personally think this was the most important thing Michal did. Remember another wife, Abigail, who also ‘saved the seed?’ These two women showed themselves strong in times of great pressure and danger.)Abigail kept David from making the mistake of murdering her husband which would have gone against God. God may have taken David off of the throne for his actions. Michal saved Davids life - and the descendants of David (seed).

Note 1 Sam. 19:11-18: What was an idol/image doing in the house of the King of Israel?

Who was her father the King? Was he a positive role model to his family?

Poor Michal. She was in the middle between her father, the king, and her husband, the soon to be king. Scripture twice says that she loved David, she saved his life, yet when he danced before the Lord(2 Sam 6:16: 1 Chron. 15:29), she ‘despised’ him. Michal loathed, detested, David at this point. Do we have any idea why?

Does she seem spiritual in any way? Do we see her praying? How did her spirituality possibly affect her life decisions? Did she share the religious zeal of her husband?

2 Samuel 21:8 says Michal was the mother to some children. Perhaps she raised the children that her sister had. Michal is often called “the woman who never celebrated a mothers day.” Perhaps because of her distain for David.

We see the sad side of Michal. She was sent back and forth between men, (1 Sam 25:44)and twice it says “she loved David.” David wanted her back, but there is no indication that he loved her, perhaps it was just his pride that wanted her back. After all she had been given to him by King Saul, and now when he was king he wanted his possession back? How might she have felt?

Is there anything we can learn from her about “love and marriage and a baby in a carriage” from this story? Many say that the story of Ruth and Boaz is a love story. Is the story of Michal and David a love story?

DAY 5 LISTEN

Why study Michal? Have we learned anything about her that is worth spending time over? Is this story just the story of the two kings? Is she just a side story or can we learn something important from her.

Always answer our questions
1. How does 2 Tim. 3:16-17 apply to these verses?
2. What if these stories about Michal had been left out of Scripture.
3. What is God trying to teach us through these stories
4. What can we take from the story of Michal to use in 2010?

My own personal opinion is that this story was given to us to show the sovereignty of God. God had promised that the line of David would always be on the throne. Michael saved the very seed. Michael saved the life of David when she let him escape as her father sent men to kill him. She 'saved the seed.' Again, God uses a women, behind the scene, to fulfill His plan. Esther 'saved the seed.' Abigail 'saved the seed'. The midwives in Egypt 'saved the seed.'. The wife of the priest in the story of Athaliah 'saved the seed.'
The point? God uses women, behind the scene, for His plan and purpose.

Miriam

2010-06-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

Women’s Study Hall: Miriam
Exodus 2: 4-9; Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 12:1-16, Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4

DAY 1 – General Overview
STOP!
1. Pray and ask God to bless your reading and time of study. What translation of the Bible are you reading? And Why?

2. Before you begin reading, what do you remember about Miriam?

Miriam is a fascinating woman who is often only remembered because of her sin of challenging the role of her brother as leader. There is much more. A study of Miriam can lead us into a deeper understanding of leadership, roles , and the amazing “Team Moses.”

Teaching point - one key to hermeneutics is understanding sequence or lists. This is important as we study the life of Miriam. God seems to say , or lists, what is the most important things first. Just think of the Ten Commandments…love God comes first….last are the commands of interacting and loving people. This holds true with names. The oldest child is named first, the youngest last. Each time the ‘team Moses’ is mentioned note the sequence. The names change order with each incident. Pay attention to this.

The story of Miriam is in three segments. 1) As a child she assisted in saving the life of Moses. (Her name is never given here.) 2) The crossing of the Red Sea – and the song of Victory. 3) Her rebellion and punishment. Yet there is so much more.

3. Read the verses slowly (listed in the title of this study). I used the NKJ version to prepare this study. If you use the KJV your wording will be a bit different. I suggest that you use NKJ, NAS, Amplified, REV or something similar. Never use a ‘paraphrase’ Bible…such as The Message, New Living Translation, etc… these are wonderful translations for recreational reading, I have them in my library also, but they are not for serious study.

As you read:
a. Make a list of words/concepts/ locations that you would like to understand better in this passage.( Just make the list.) This list will be different for everyone.
b. Mark the words for your ‘Word Search.” (Refer to the handout given earlier that explains why we do this.) (Go to the post for 5/21/10 to see information on word searches...Bible Reading Can Be Fun!)
For this study:
Always mark sentences that contain “but”, “because” and “for” when it means because. These words explain, compare, or show an outcome.

DAY 2- Miriam as Leader
LOOK!
Research the words/concepts that you listed in STOP # 3 (a). Write down what you find.

Lets look at Miriam’s role and leadership style.

1. Exodus 2:4-9 (for detailed information read 1-10) Do you see any leadership traits? Give a brief summary of Miriam’s attitude and actions. Note-she is not even named here.

2. Exodus 15:20-21 (for detailed information read Chapter 14 and 15:1-21). Give a brief summary of her attitude and actions. Who did she lead? Who followed? What was the focus of her actions?

3.What was the title given to her? What is a prophetess? Do we ever read/hear of any of her prophecies?

4.Who is another prophetess we have studied? Do you see any similarities in their roles or actions?
DAY 3 – Miriam in Sin
(LOOK continued)

1. Numbers 12 is the story of the rebellion against Moses. Who was part of the rebellion? What was it all about?

Where in these verses do we see proof that Miriam was a leader?
Where do we see proof that she was a prophetess?
Who was punished? Why only Miriam? (we really do not know.)
Miriam was loved. Where do we see this?

2. Lets see Moses part in this. What is his action/attitude toward Miriam?

3. Lets see Aaron’s part in this. What is his action/attitude toward Miriam?

What did Aaron say/do? Who did he speak to?

Notice the sequence of names each time they are given. Sequence gives order of importance

4.Lets see Gods part in this:
To whom did God speak?
Who spoke to God?

Miriam’s problem seemed to be that she was not happy with her role on the “Moses Team.” She was a prophetess, leader of women, close family confident of both Moses and Aaron, but that was not enough her. She had seen the power of God and his dealings with sin, yet, for some reason, perhaps jealousy over a new wife of ‘Gods Servant,’ Miriam tried to usurp the power and position of Moses. We don’t really know why, but many scholars think that the new wife might have had the ear and attention of Moses, and took the position of favor from Miriam.

DAY 4 – Miriam a Person of Importance
(LOOK Continued)
At the end of this study we will ask….Why did God give us so much information about Miriam?
I think it gets down to…Miriam was important to God and should be important to us. Lets think about some other aspects of her life.
A study of the life of Miriam is a study of decades of history and major events in the life of the Hebrew nation. Think of all she witnessed and was part of: she helped her mother save Moses from death, she saw his rise to power in the family of the pharaoh, and then lost him for years as he ran into the wilderness to meet God. Miriam was present when Moses returned to Egypt and was witness to the plagues, the first Passover. She walked through the parted waters of the sea, then danced with the women in joy and praise of God. She was assigned the position of leader by God.

Miriam was witness to the giving of the Ten Commandments, the sin of the golden calf, the march through the wilderness, the manna and quail, the sending of the spies into the land, the budding of Aaron’s rod, etc… Being a part of the family she not only knew about these incidents, but was intimately involved with the decision making, hearing the discussions and personally feeling the results on the leadership. She was there at the giving of the Law and the instructions for the building of the tabernacle. In fact, after her sin, when the laws of daily life were given, Miriam was used, by name, to explain something….Deut. 24:8-9 (For a more thorough understanding, read the entire chapter.)

We often overlook the amazing fact that Miriam was highly regarded by God. This may seem a strange comment because all we remember is her sin and fall, but on closer study we see that Miriam was part of the “Moses Team” of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. Not only was she part of the family, she helped save the baby, and she was gifted by God as a prophetess, one chosen by God to speak His message. What other facts might indicate how important she was to God and the entire wilderness wanderings?

We have been studying women in the Genealogy of Jesus. Lets look at three genealogies that mention Moses and see about Miriam.
1. Write out 1 Chron. 6:2-5( read vs 1-30 for more information.) Were there other women named? If so who, and why/why not
2.Write out Numb. 26:58-60 (read vs 57-62 for more information). Were there other women mentioned? If so who and why/why not?
3. Only select women are mentioned in the genealogies. Miriam is always mentioned with her brothers. Imagine – she had both Moses, and Aaron as brothers - the leader and the first High Priest– what a blessed family. If she was simply a sister, along-for-the-ride, she would not have been mentioned in such detail. She was an important part of that amazing family. She is so important, that hundreds of years later she is mentioned by name in Micah 6:4. This is an important verse in determining Miriam’s importance and place in history. Write out this verse.
This verse does seem to indicate that Miriam was an important part of the leadership team for the Hebrew people. Miriam, a woman, was chosen by God to be a part of HIS important plan to make a nation of the Hebrews, and to get them into the Promised Land….. the Holy Land.

DAY 5
LISTEN!
Always ask our four questions:
The first prophetess named in Scripture.

1.How does 2 Tim. 3:16-17 apply to the story of Miriam. “All Scripture…doctrine, reproof, correction, training and righteousness…..so that the woman of God may be complete…all good works”…..why all this information about Miriam? Is it just part of the story of Aaron and Moses, or is it special unto itself?

2. What if the detailed story of Miriam was left out of Scripture?

3.What is God trying to teach us (women) through this story?

4.How can we/you apply what you have learned about Miriam be applied to your life today ?
(I think we can learn and apply principles of leadership, the role of women, and the love of God as He forgives us)….what else?

Beginning Notes on Deborah-the Prophetess

2010-05-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

We often forget about the women who were prophetesses when we consider leadership. Prophetesses were gifted by God to speak His message to the people, just as the male prophets. Their mode of operation was very different from that of the firey, active, very vocal male prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, yet they were leaders of the nation. The women prophetess usually worked behind the scenes, not on the "front lines." Examples of prophetesses are Miriam, Deborah, Hulda, the daughters of Philip, and even Anna of Luke 2.

Read Judges 4 and 5. Look for action words that describe the actions of Deborah.

Deborah was a judge and a prophetess. As a judge she led the country in the civil, or governmental issues that came into question. As a prophetess she spoke the word of God to the people. During her time we have no mention of any male judge or prophet. Deborah led the people, men and women.
Without a question Deborah was a leader. Respecting her as a wise woman who heard from God and knew His Law, the people of Israel came to her for guidance. What comes into question is whether she was a military leader or not. Many people call her the first woman Army General. A closer examination of her actions may call this into question. Deborah used her communion with God, her gift of prophecy, to guide Barak, the Army leader. When the word of the Lord came to Deborah, she summoned Barak and directed him to obey God by forming an army against the oppressor. Deborah was a prophetess, not an Army General.

In the book of Hebrews, Barak is mentioned as a champion of faith, not Deborah.Perhaps because she was a prophetess her faith "came naturally" and the faith of Barak did not. Barak needed to have strong faith to believe in the prophetess Deborah. Barak had to stretch his belief that the true, living God could deliver Israel from the onslaught of the enemy, and listen to the word of Deborah. Deborah was a leader as a prophetess, Barak was a leader as the Army General.

Chapter 5 of Judges is a song about the battle. It was common in biblical times to record major events in the form of song that the people could sing, understand and remember. Deborah the prophetess, not the Army General, heard the word of the Lord and was obedient to God's call. She came forward to lead her nation, inspiring others to believe her message from God and follow in faith.

Read one of the prophets such as Amos or Zephaniah (I chose these two because they are very short. As a challenge read Isiah or Jeremiah!!) and compare their lives and actions to that of Deborah, Miriam, Hulda (We will study these last two in detail later.) How was the God-ordained role of the prophetess the same, or different from the role of the male prophet?

Some women were instrumental in 'saving the seed,' such as Esther and Rahab....I think Deborah was used by God to save the people of Israel from a terrible slaughter...saving the seed..

The complete outline Stop! Look! Listen! for Deborah will be added in a few days.

Athaliah - Only Female Monarch of Israel

2010-05-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

2 Kings 11; 2 Chron. 22:1-4, 10-12; 2 Chron. 23; 2 Kings 8:26

STOP!
1.Ask yourself, “Why am I studying Athaliah? She was an evil queen.” Most of us cannot recount ever hearing a sermon about this woman. We may have heard the story of baby King Joash, but the focus was on him, not necessarily on what we might learn from Queen Athaliah. Why do you think a study of Athaliah is important? (If you don’t know, write that down.)

2 Gather information. Read the Scripture related to Queen Athaliah. Slow down and look at each word.

3. Start a list of key words, repeated words or concepts you might not understand in these verses. (In the “Look” phase you will research these)

For the study of Queen Athaliah you might list these plus a few more:

a. Who is Jehoiada
b. Who Jehosheba
c. The people ‘rejoiced’ at the report of her death – why?
d. Baal worship
e. Why was the child hidden in the temple?

5. Stop and “Scan the horizon” for geography. Where does this story take place? The city. The exact place.

LOOK!!

1. Read the verses about Athaliah again. Spend time in this phase to research and study what the verses are saying.

2. Go to the list that you wrote in the “Stop” section, and research the words and concepts that you would like to know more about. You are “looking’ to see detail and gain information. Did you find out anything that surprised you?

3. Look right and look left!! See what has gone before and comes after the story of Athaliah. Read 2 Kings 10, all that is in 2 Chronicles 22, and 2 Chronicles 24. How do these chapters impact the story of Athaliah?
4. Begin to ask questions.
a. Who was The Queen Athaliah? Give a brief description.
b. Athaliah was the first, and only Queen that ruled Israel. Why?

c. Scripture says that the people rejoiced when Athaliah overthrew the throne. Why didn’t the people rebel in the beginning? What must life have been like with the leader of the country forcing Baal worship on the country?

d. How did she come to the throne, and what happened to Judah after Joash took over the throne?

e. Why would God have allowed this to happen? What was the spiritual climate in Judah during this time? Had any prophets warned of this?

f. Why did she kill her grandsons? Her own husband had his brothers killed to secure the throne for himself. Athaliah had much evil around her.

g.To think about….What happened to the mothers of those murdered? What happened to the mother of baby Joash?

h. Why was the temple a good place to hide Joash?

i. What are the only words are recorded that she spoke? Are they important? (It is interesting that she should cry out “Treason” when she was the queen of treason and bloodshed.)

j. Why didn’t the people rise up against her…they ‘rejoiced’ when she was over thrown. What does this teach us about today? God let things go along for six years…..let the people have their way until His time had come to stop the evil.

k. Think about: The priest and people seemed to rather have a six year old on the throne than Athaliah.

l. What does it mean “she tore her clothes?”

m. Athaliah the first and only female ruler of Israel? Was she appointed by God or by human choice? What is the plan or pattern that we see in both the Old and New Testament regarding women and leadership?

n. Think about: Why did things get so bad. Why did the people stray? Was there warnings? Many previous rulers had been followers of YHWY…yet things had changed…how? Why?

o. Most important of all….why bother spending all this time studying such an evil woman?

LISTEN

Lessons learned. God is in control. He promised that a seed would reign on the throne of David. Despite the plans of this evil, pagan woman the seed (Joash) did survive.

What if this detailed account of the reign of Queen Athaliah was left out of Scripture. We would have missed seeing the story of the only woman who ruled Judah. We would have missed the details of how God kept His promise to Israel to always have a descendant of David on the throne.

What can we take from the story of Athaliah to apply to our lives today?

The key to this story is how God is faithful to his promises. He promised Davidic line to sit on the throne of Israel. Mans schemes cannot usurp the plans of God. Evil reared its ugly head and almost ‘destroyed the seed.’

God let the people have their way until it was His time to make the correction. Sometimes God lets a nation have what it wants (or thinks it wants) for a period of time, before He acts.

The nation follows their leader. God controls the ‘throne’ of any country.
Families do have a major influence over the lives and beliefs of their children… good or bad. If you are a mom or a grandmom how does your life affect the next generation (s)? Do you need to make any changes? (BUT REMEMBER…each person makes their own decision and choices in life. No matter how Godly a home a child comes from they can still stray from the ways of God. This is not your fault.)

For Deeper Study

Dig deeper: Write out the genealogy of Athaliah to see who “her people” were, and how her life was shaped. (List the verses)

Grandfather
Father
Mother
Husband
Son

Athaliah is in the bloodline of Joseph, husband of Mary, but not the bloodline of Mary. The evil ‘genealogy’ of Athaliah does not reach Jesus. The bloodline of Jesus goes through Nathan son of David, not Solomon (the line of Athaliah).

The wife of Job....comments

2010-05-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

From my friend Kathy in California...guess we need to study the wife of Job......

"She's so renouned for her suggesting Job curse God and die. Nobody ever seems to remember that she, too!!!!!, lost 10 children, friends, servants, and her entire life/lifestyle! Why is that? Granted, she's not the focus of the life of Job but to relegate her to in passing comments and some mean-spirited character isn't exactly an honest portrayal...in my thinking.

She must have been reeling...devastated...wounded to her very spirit. Her children! Gone! She carried them in her body, she raised them, she loved them and they were her blessing. Back in those times many children were considered a blessing. She certainly did her part. (Not once, but then again a whole new family. She was no longer young then, either!) She too, had faithful servants and friends and she enjoyed the wealth her husband brought to the family. Suddenly, that's all gone and now even her husband is decaying before her very eyes. Gosh! Perhaps she had "An Elijah Moment".... utter dispair and depression. Maybe she'd had a total over-flow of 'enough'.

I have a thought about her. If she was such a mean, doubting woman, surely God would not have blessed her with many more children. If she had disrespected Job in the literal sense, she would not have been blessed by God. She must have had some guts, is all I can say.

I know that as Christians we don't tend to tell our slowly dying loved ones to 'curse God and die'.
It would be the exact wrong thing to say. The comment seems so out of place, so far away from who Job was. God obviously didn't strike her dead where she stood. Since He knows our very hearts He must have understood her immeasurable grief and He also mightily blessed her once again. I cannot imagine what they went through. I have two deceased brothers....other family members. Just the loss of two brothers is a crushing weight. I cannot imagine having 10 children and all of them being dead long before they reached old age.

I'm hard-pressed to think poorly of Job's wife or relegate her to some 'bitchy wife' category.
We simply do not know enough about her to describe her character. I'd prefer to give her the benefit of the doubt.

But then....that's just me!

SO....what are your thoughts?"

Kathie...my thoughts are that we do need to study her more!!
.
.

Bible Reading Can Be Fun ????

2010-05-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Bible reading can be fun. Did I just say that!! Lets be honest, it is not in me, not in most of us, to really sit down and want to read Scripture. I don’t believe it is natural to want to read Scripture. Our flesh, our ‘natural man’ (or woman), will do anything to keep us from God’s message to us. But the only way to know God and the direction for our lives is to read the words He has given to us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that all Scripture is beneficial for our learning, our correction, and to teach us doctrine, yet for most of us we neglect making Scripture reading a priority in our lives. We say we don’t have the time, we forgot, or that we don’t understand what we are reading. I have a saying…. “Bible study/reading is not for sissies.” It takes work. That’s why we call it ‘study.’

Years ago I was struggling with reading the Bible. I wanted to read it, I really did, but the world and circumstances always got in the way. So I prayed. I asked God to not only put the love of reading Scripture into my heart, but to help me carve out a time and a place to study each day. My prayers were answered, and here I am years later having read through the Bible many times…and understanding it so much that I now have with several letters after my name that indicate that I have studied and gained some professional understanding of Gods Word.

Now, I love to read Scripture. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that I go to the Word every day, but having said that, I have found out several keys to ‘getting to it.’ First is prayer. If your heart is sincere and you pray for God to control your love of Scripture, you will have a desire to get into the Book.

Now the ‘fun’ part. As humans we like fun. So why not use that need to our spiritual advantage? We focus on fun as we reach out to youth – why not use fun for the rest of us too? Many people complete the daily cross word puzzle, or word search puzzle in the newspaper every day – for fun! Go to a book store or news stand and you will see a variety of puzzle books, even with a Bible emphasis. Puzzle books sell!!! Someone is reading them....so there is an interest in puzzles and word games.

Puzzles are great for learning and for comprehension because they stretch the brain and expand how your mind solves problems, while having fun. You have to slow down to work a puzzle or crossword game. While you're solving a puzzle, you're really teaching your brain to work in new ways.

I never liked crossword puzzles or word search games. It is just not part of my personality….but over the past few years God has shown me how to use this ‘puzzle stuff’ to increase my own time in the Word. I want to share it with you.

But why “Word Search” Scripture? First to get us reading Scripture!! Secondly, to give us a sense of expectation and fun (yes, Bible reading can be fun!). And thirdly, to slow us down as we read, so we increase our comprehension. As we are in the Word…the Word will get into us. I ‘word search’ as I read,and have found the most amazing things! You can too. Let me share it with you. Lets look at some words.

Always look for the words “because,’ ‘for’ (when it means because), and ‘but.’ Small words can hold the key to a sentence or entire paragraph. These three small words tend to explains something.

Words of Faith: Salvation, repent/return, grace, mercy, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, commands, prayer, miracles, angels, eternal life, altar, worship, peace, love, giving/tithing, obey, disobedience, sin, and so many more. What about references to prophecy, heaven or hell? What are you interested in?

Words for Fun: What are you interests? What are your hobbies? What is your field of employment? Look for topics such as gardening (flowers/plants), nature/agriculture, farming, money/finance, cloth/clothing/sewing, jewelry/precious stones, family, children, women, geography, music, singing, instruments, building, military, construction, house, food, dieting, cooking.…. Are you interested in genealogy, quilting or even scrap booking? What might you look for? (What are men interested in reading about? I don’t know.)

Grammar: Basic grammar is so very important. You might look for “all, every none, not, forever, all numbers, because, for, but,, etc..” Just begin to study the word ‘but.” I was amazed I began to look at sentences that explain things with the word “but.” What about the word “if?” You might mark every question that is asked in Scripture. Is there a difference between ‘the’ and ‘a’ when it comes to ‘the angel of the Lord’ or ‘an angel of the Lord?’ Little, short words many times are very important in overall understanding. Always do look for some grammar.

As an example: I always look for references to women because I am studying their lives and the role that God has for women. (I write a “W” in the margin.) I mark any reference to God’s love of Israel with an “I.” I am a retired nurse and always mark any reference to anatomy, illness, anything medical with a “M.” I mark any reference to the land of Israel with a “L” in the margin. (You do not have to mark as many as these, but as you begin to look for words of interest to you, your list might expand as mine has.)

One year as I read through the Bible I marked any reference to war, soldiers, and military battles. I gave the marked Bible to my nephew for a Christmas present.

A teacher might look for words having to do with understanding, learning, knowledge and teaching. (There are many of these)

A mother might mark all references in Scripture about God’s role for women, women as role models, commands about godly living for women, etc… The Bible might be given to her daughter ‘manual,’ , or to her son as a guideline for finding a godly wife.

You will not find your word (s) in every section of Scripture, but keep looking, remember that this is a word search! Some interests might now translate over to word study in Scripture. What about sports, t.v. or computers…won’t find much! For the best results, and to keep your interest (after all, keeping your interest is what this is all about), choose words that will be found, and found frequently, in Scripture. )

Your search results may be longer in the Old Testament, or New Testament, due to the specific topic you choose. “God” will be found in the OT and the NT, what about “Jesus”? What about “Holy Spirit?” If you are interested in spiritual gifts, you won’t find much in the Old Testament.

Try it…you might just get hooked!!!! Just think – looking forward to reading Scripture every day…what a concept.

WORD SEARCH EXERCISES

The “Word Search Puzzle” starting point is to pick four words that you will search, one word from each of the previous given lists, or select words that are of interest to you:

1. Faith:______________
2. Fun:________________
3. Grammar:___________________
4. Always mark ‘because, for and but”. God explains things and we don’t want to miss them!

Puzzle #1 . I suggest you try this technique with your current Sunday School or Bible Study lesson. The goal is to keep our interest as we read Scripture. This works on short sections of Scripture, topical studies, as well as reading longer passages.

Puzzle #2: Try this puzzle exercise on Scripture that you have found difficult or boring in the past. (Sorry Mr. Job – that is your book for me. I just read the 5-7 chapters of Hosea with interest and new understanding.)

Notice how you have to slow down and look at each word! In my life I realized that one reason that I was not understanding Scripture was that I was ‘speed reading.’ For years high school taught speed reading, yet did not teach “speed comprehension.” When I forced myself to slow down and look at each word I was amazed at what I read, and what I remembered.

This morning I read for an hour and marked words such as because, but, for, covenant, land of Israel, and any reference to Gods love for Israel. That was my list.

Try it and let me know what you think. jpsant@netzero.net.

Addendum....here is an article that I wrote last year about Bible Study (reading)/. It sure applies here....

Bible Study: Who Do We Think We are Fooling?

We attend a Sunday School Class or Bible Study on Sunday; maybe a Wednesday night Bible Study; and maybe even a midweek Bible Study. My question is – who do we think we are fooling? Do we really study, or just show up and expect someone to give us a lecture?

If we do open up the study book to prepare, (not even opening the Bible), we spend a few minutes and call that study. If we do open up Scripture during the week we read it over quickly, and then think we have studied.

Who do we think we are fooling? Only ourselves.
After teaching Bible Study for almost every Sunday for 20 years, in eight different churches, I know that for the average attendee there is no preparation – no study.
At the beginning of each meeting I usually ask, “Who had time to study and prepare this week.” The result is usually pretty dismal.

Who do we think we are fooling?

Churches are beginning to change the of Bible Studies to be more ‘seeker friendly.” We now have “fellowship meetings or “care groups.” The emphasis is off the Bible and on to relationships to attract the ‘seeker.’ We have little accountability, and less expectation for the attendees.

Who do we think we are fooling? Bible Study is just that-study.

Bathsheba

2010-05-01T13:51:00.001-07:00

2 Samuel 11:1 to 12:25; 1 Kings 1: 1 to 2:25; 1 Chron. 3:5; Matthew 1:6

She has been called 'an immodest temptress"....is she? Was she a sinner, or a victim? Where does it show her planning and cunning? Tamar planned. Rahab planned....did Bathsheba plan anything, or was she just caught up in the palace politics. Lets look at the Scripture and not just what we 'think' we know about this story.

Day 1
STOP!
Only five women are named in the genealogy of Jesus. To have any woman mentioned by name is unusual in Jewish genealogies….so to have five women mentioned must indicate that these women were special in some way, or that God is trying to tell us something. Bathsheba is not really even named, she is called “by the wife of Uriah.”

1. Who is Bathsheba? What do you already know about her? Why is it about her life that is important to study?
2. Read the story of Bathsheba several times.
3. Always stop for the word ‘because” or “for” (when it means because) – it will explain something.
4. Start a list of key words, repeated words or concepts you might not understand in these verses. (Just write the list. In the “Look” phase you will research these). What is of interest to you? What are you noticing for the first time?
5. Make a list of all the men in her life, including her son. Look at their interactions. Who is assertive? Who is giving the suggestions, or commands? Stop and mark phrases such as 'went to,' and 'came to.'
6. Stop! Scan the horizon and look at geography. Where did this take place, and in what time period?

Day 2
Look!
1. Read these verses again. Slow down and notice each word. HEY GIRLS ARE YOU REALLY READING THESE VERSES MORE THAN ONCE   ?

2. Go to the list of key or repeated words that you wrote in “STOP” section. Using a Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Commentaries, etc… research your list. You are “looking’ to see detail and gain information.

3. Look Left! Look Right! See what has gone before and comes after. The story of Bathsheba scans quite a time period. Much was happening. Bathsheba saw and was part of many interesting things. She saw new wives added and children born to other women. She probably knew Abigail and Michal. Her life was impacted by the war, and sins of the men around her. She had a child die because of sin. She was counseled by Nathan, and involved with palace politics by Adonijah.

4.Begin to ask questions.
a. Notice her personality. Was she assertive and scheming? Was she flexible in the hands of the men around her? Some scholars seem to think that she was cunning and sinful, and caused the adultery with David. What do you see? Can we tell?
b. Why did Nathan and Adonijah come to her? How did she respond. Remember she was the queen mother. Does Bsthsheba seem to use her political power?
c. Solomon was not the oldest son. He was the fourth son of Bathsheba. Technically the throne should have been given to another son. Why was the throne given to Solomon. It changed history.
d. She was married to a Hittite. We do not know her background. Do we see any suggestion that she was a follower of YWHW? Do we see her pray or seek the face of God.
e. What was her interaction with her son, and David?
f. We probably never consider the sorrow she had in life. She lost a husband. She lost a child. She was driven by her home when David left Jerusalem in flight. She shared Davids time of conquest and times of running.
g. She gave birth to one of the greatest kings in the history of the Bible. He was said to have been the wisest man on earth. I wonder if she was alive to see him as a man. To see the things he accomplished? To see the building of the Temple? Might she have been present in court when the two women came and claimed the one baby?

Day 3
Scripture gives no indication that she was a believer in the God of the Hebrews. Yet, Bathsheba experienced the grace of God. Thought she was probably a pagan, and involved with adultery, she was in the lineage of Jesus, and God wrote her name for all eternity in Scripture.

Begin to learn the lineage of Jesus. Bathsheba and David begat Solomon….Solomon begat……who????

How does 2 Tim. 3:16 apply to this story?

How do our four P’s apply to this story? Practice. Principle. Precept and Progressive Revelation.

Of other women we have said, “she was determined to get what was due her.” Can we say this about Bathsheba? She as been called everything from “sinner” to “victim.” Look at her actions. Was she assertive? David comes to her. Nathan comes to her. Adonijah comes to her. She seems less assertive than Queen Esther, and definitely less assertive than Queen Athaliah. She did have some power as the Queen Mother...how does she use that power?

God reprimands David, through the prophet Nathan, for his sin. God never says Bathsheba is a sinner, in fact, Nathan likens her to a “little lamb.” So….was she a sinner, or a poor woman caught up in a man’s sin. She had the sorrow of losing a husband and a child. We never see her scheming or planning.

Bathsheba had four sons by David. Did you know that one of the sons, Nathan, is in the genealogy of Jesus…in the line of Mary (!!) The line through Solomon goes through the house of Joseph. Amazing…she has two boys that are in the genealogy of Jesus.

Day 4
LISTEN!
Notice that there are many men in the genealogy of Jesus that are “just names.” We know nothing about them. Yet for each woman in the genealogy, Scripture gives us information about her. What are some reasons that you think that God gave us this story of Bathsheba. Yes the focus on these verses about Bathsheba relate to the life and reign of David. This is what we usually study....but Bathsheba was very much part of the life of David.

Complete your chart comparing the five women. Are you getting any real idea about why these five women might be listed in the genealogy, and not others such as Sarah and Rebekah?

Now that we have studied Bathsheba in detail…have any of your previous ideas about her changed? Was she a ‘good girl’ or a ‘bad girl?’ Yes, one of our lessons from her is that women should be more modest and not an instrument of temptation to a man. We sure could and should teach that today....even in our churches!

A personal question…..How many times did you read these verses? It is very important to read them more than once.
Now our three questions:
1. What if this story had never been told?
2. What is God trying to tell us in this story? Is it all about David or Uriah or even Nathan, and their actions?
3. How can I apply what I have learned from this lesson to my life today? This is the most important part of our study! Write out your answer:

Rahab

2010-04-25T15:58:00.000-07:00

STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Bible Study Technique
Rahab – Joshua 2:1-21; 6:17-25; Matt 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25

Day 1
We continue our study of the women in the genealogy of Jesus. Why were just these five women mentioned by name? What is so special about them, that they should stand out, even above Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, etc… In fact, we know of seventeen women in the line of Jesus. The majority are just names on the page, with no further information about them. Most of us have never studied Tamar, Rahab or Bathsheba. What is God trying to say to us through their lives, and what is so special about them that they are mentioned by name in the Matthew 1?

STOP!
Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the truths in His Word. Pray for no distractions or interruptions.

Read all the verses. Note that Rahab is mentioned twice in the New Testament. This is very unusual. She is mentioned in James, and she is listed in the “Hall of Faith” in the book of Hebrews. Who is this women and what do we know about her?

a. Mark or list any words you do not fully understand. (If you are using a KJV you might have a longer list because of the use of the old English language).

b. Mark any words that are of interest to you.

Day 2 LOOK!
This section is where you will spend most of your study time. Read the verses again.
Research the words from the STOP! section that you noted that you do not fully understand. Where did this story take place? What period of time/history does this involve?

Getting back to our basic technique….part of crossing the street is to “Look right! Look left!” Study the verses/chapters around this story. How to the preceding events affect this story? How does this story affect the events that follow? Also….”scan the horizon.” Identify where this story took place. Find it on a map. Geography is important.
The remain of Jericho can be visited today – it is considered one of the oldest cities in the world.

List the men associated with her life, and her family - and note how they interact with her. Why did the king of Jericho come to her and ask about seeing the men? Also think about what history/miracles that she witnessed or was part of during her life that might not be mentioned specifically in these verses, What might have happened to Rahab after this episode?

How old was she? Was she really a harlot? Was she a believer in YWHW? Did God use a liar to save the men?

God tells Joshua to kill all the people. Many people say that this is not the merciful God that we worship, but lets think about it. Rahab said that for forty years the people of the Holy Land had seen the miracles that God/YWHW did for the Hebrews. Only Rahab had enough belief in that God to act on that faith. How long is God suppose to wait for someone to repent and turn from pagan ways and faith in Him? So as we study about the conquest of Canaan let us remember that the pagan people had been warned, and that they had seen the miracles of God - yet had not turned to Him. God saved Rahab because of her faith.

She is mentioned in James and in the “Hall of Faith,” What lessons can we learn by these verses?
Of all the events in the Old Testament, James uses Rahab as an example of active faith. What you learned from
James 2:25:_______________
Of all the people in the Old Testament only a few are named in Hebrews 11 – called the Hall of Faith. Only two women are mentioned, Rahab is one. What you learned from Hebrews 11? _______________________________________

Rahab had a strong sense of family. She saved her family in the 'escape plan' that would save her life. Perhaps this is one aspect that we might investigate more closely. As we look at the five women in the genealogy of Jesus perhaps it is this sense of family that draws them together for special recognition....Bathsheba? We will study her soon.

Speaking about Bathsheba....Rahab showed a strong sense of action and courage. She dealt with the men in an assertive manner.......do we see this in Bathsheba?

Was she the only one in Jericho that believed all the stories about the Israelites and their God. Perhaps. She believed and she acted in that belief. The city knew that the Israelites were coming, yet we only see Rahab acting to help them. God’s timing. God’s divine appointment. God’s love and mercy.

We do not see her praying.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for…” What application are the verses…. ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for….

a. doctrine(teaching),
b. for reproof(rebuke, censure, conviction),
c. for correction(correction of error),
d. for instruction in righteousness(acting in accordance with Gods teachings),
e. (so) that the man (or woman) of God, may be complete (having reached full maturation, competent, capable to meet all demands) ,
f. thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ ”

How do these fit in with out study of Rahab?

I wonder what happened to her after the city fell. She and her family were taken to the camp of the Israelites (thought it seems that they had to live away from the people). We know that she married a man named Salmon, perhaps one of the two spies, and had a son named Boaz….I wonder if she was still alive when Boaz met Ruth?

What other things might she have experienced. The conquest of the other cities. The death of the family that kept back treasures from Jericho.

Day 3
Now look at our “Four P’s”
Practice: Ask what is the ongoing custom or tradition that is repeated? What can we learn from this that will influence our understanding of the story?

Precepts: Look for specific rules, commands, or instructions. Are any given? “Thou shalt not kill.” Wives and husbands are told to love each other and to be submissive to each other….

Principle: A belief, a standard. A general truth. A fundamental assumption. A generally acceptable rule of action or behavior, i.e. moral principles. General biblical principles might include the Trinity (the word “trinity” never appears in Scripture”, the sovereignty of God (as seen in the story of Esther – thought never called “the sovereignty of God.” Principles often overlap with practice

Progressive Revelation: This is information that is unveiled a little at a time. Genesis through Malachi slowly unveils teachings of the Messiah to come.

Day 4 LISTEN!
Read the verses one last time.
What is God trying to teach us in these verses? Why is she mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus?
What would we have missed if this story had not been written?
What can I apply to my life today? This is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all! This is why we study!

Anna - Prophetess...and witness

2010-03-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Ladies. Here are a few preliminary notes on our study of Anna.

Anna and the Tribe of Asher
In chapter 2 of Luke, God tells us of Baby Jesus and his first appearance at the Temple. Three short verses, packed with information are given about Anna, the prophetess, and her sighting of the Messiah. Why would God give us so much information about the background of Anna, when usually this type of desctiption is not given to us about the women of Scripture? One thing that has always interested me is the mention ofher tribe. Why mention her father or her tribe? I am in the middle of an extensive study of the 12 tribes - so this led me into further study of the tribe of Asher - and Anna.

See www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com for the study about the Tribes.

Asher was one of the smaller tribes, located along the Mediterranian coast in the north. Those who believe that oil will be found in Israel base their intitial interest in the verses about Asher that mention "riches" and "oil." (Deut 33) Were the "riches" olive oil, or perhaps oil not yet found? Asher is said to be "blessed above the other brothers"...we have not seen that yet...perhaps oil will be found in Israel one day....an interesting thought. Will Asher dip his foot in petroleum oil one day?

Also after the tribes in the north had been been conquered by the Assyrians, there was a remnant of the tribes left behind. King Hezekiah sent messages to those left in the north to come to Judah to celebrate the Passover. Only three tribes went to Jerusalem in humbleness and to worship God. Asher was one of the three. This showed their loyalty to the God of the Hebrews (or that they were so very desperate they would try anything?).

Another intersting thing about the tribe of Asher is that in the New Testament, very few tribes are mentioned (do a word search/Strongs search) - Outside of Revelation 7 only Judah, Benjamin and Asher are mentioned in the New Testament. Perhaps because the tribal identity had been lost during the 70 years of captivity. (An interesting side study is Rev 7. Two tribes are left out of the listing - Dan and Simeon - why?)....thats a great study.

This is just a small focus as we study Anna. What about her age? Her widowhood? The fact that she lived at the temple? Her service of fasting and praying? Why would God tell us these three verses about this simple woman...what if these verses had been left out of Scripture, and is there anything in these verses that we can apply to our lives today?

Lets go gals...whatfun!

Proverbs 31 Woman

2010-02-14T11:57:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 31:10-31
STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! Bible Study

Twenty one verses. Not very lengthy, but this still requires time and dedication. “Bible Study” is just that – study! It is not casual, recreational reading. Bible Study is hard work. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture.

STOP!
Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the truths in His Word

What do you already know about this these verses/this story? Who was this woman? Was her story based on an actual or fictional woman? How old was she? We often think of her as a young woman, but could she have been a senior adult?

Make note of what Bible translation are you using. Why have you chosen this translation? ( I strongly recommend that you use KJ,NKJ, or NAS. For serious study never use a paraphrase such as the NLT)

Read the verses at one sitting. This is the familiar story of the “virtuous” or ‘excellent’ wife. Read it with fresh eyes and spirit. Slow down and look at each word.

a. Mark or list any words you do not fully understand. (If you are using a KJV you might have a longer list because of the use of the old English language). For instance, do you know what ‘distaff’ means in vs 19. Why ‘scarlet’ in vs. 21? Of what importance are ‘the gates’ mentioned in vs 23 and 31? Research any word that you really do not understand, using a Bible Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance, or other resource.

b. Mark any words or phrases that are of interest to you. (I always mark “because” or “for” when it means because. I mark a “P” in the margin for anything that I think is prophecy. I mark an “I” in the margin if I see any promises to Israel. What is of interest to you?)

LOOK!
This section is where you will spend most of your study time. Read the verses again.

Getting back to our basic technique….part of crossing the street is to “Look right! Look left!” Study the verses/chapters around this story. How to the preceding verses affect this story? You might want to know wrote the book of Proverbs? Who might have been the model for this women?

Geography is important to each story. There might not be a specific geographical location for this story, but what about the fact that the story takes place in a village/or city? What does the reference to ‘gates’ signify?

This woman seemed to be a ‘working mom.’ We hear reference that women should stay at home – how is this reflected in our story of the Proverbs woman? Despite the fact that she does seem to work outside the home, what is her main focus? How does that apply to our understanding of the role of woman in 2010?

This is her story, but look at the men in her life, and her interaction with them. She is respected. Is she 'submissive'?

How old is she? Could she have been a young woman? How about a grandmother type?

How are women today, like, or unlike this woman? As we teach this we often say, “I want to be like the Proverbs 31 woman.”… How does this look like you, your daughters, your daughters-in-law? My own opinion is that, for most of us, we are not like this woman, in that our level of commitment to work is lacking. For most of us we do not work from sunrise to sunset…we spend much time watching TV, playing games on the computer, reading, etc... These are all good things, but even in my own life, I could be more productive in our service to not only the Lord, but to my family, and my ‘church family.’

Work…taking the kids to soccer games and dance classes is work! Volunteering at church is work! For those stay-at-home, senior adult ladies, praying is work! And, yes, cooking, cleaning and taking care of family is work.

Pick out one verse and hand write it out. You might even memorize it.

Anr interesting side study – several resources suggest that Prov. 31:10-31 was adapted from Psalm 111, read this Psalm for comparisons.

LISTEN!
Read the verses one last time. This poem may indeed not be about a specific woman, but about wisdom in general. No matter…there is a storehouse of great truth and instruction from the Lord.

What is God trying to teach us in these verses?
What would we have missed if this story had not been written?
What can I apply to my life today? This is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all! This is why we study!

I am not a wife. I do not have children nor grandchildren. I am a senior adult woman. How does this all pertain to me? My life and ‘work’ is for the Lord, through my local church. That is my family. I can do better of taking care of my “family.”

Who is the woman in your life that is a role-model for the concept of the Proverbs 31woman? There is a senior adult woman in Knoxville who collects aluminum cans, in order to be able to tithe at her church, and to donate to charities. Over the past twenty years she has given over $50,000.00 to help others!!! Years ago she knew that on her limited income she did not have the finances to “serve the Lord,” as she says. She goes out looking for aluminum, and her friends save their cans for her. Now that is a Proverbs 31 woman!!

I think of three of my senior adult friends, each over 75, who keep busy. They are involved with local mission work, feeding the hungry, praying, working at the church office, etc….I am not quite in my 70’s, but these are my Proverbs 31 women!! They are my role models….thank you Lois, Wilodene and Francis.!!

I would like to hear your comments on this study. If you have any questions or would like some help with a study you are working on contact me. Send me an e-mail jpsant3@live.net.

EVE

2010-01-30T06:07:00.000-08:00

Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study Technique
Eve – Genesis 1-3; 4:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim.2:13-15

STOP!
Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the truths in His Word. Pray for no distractions or interruptions. What do you already know about Eve?

Get your Bible. Make note of what Bible translation are you using? Why have you chosen this translation? ( I strongly recommend that you use KJ,NKJ, or NAS)

Read the verses at one sitting (if possible). Slow down and look at each word.
a. Mark or list any words you do not fully understand. This might include geographical locations. (For instance some versions say she was the ‘helpmet’ of Adam – what does that mean). I don’t stress this enough. My first step is to actually make a print out of all the verses with the Strong’s number included. Then when I find a word that I want to research, I use that number to find definitions. Not everyone will want to go into this depth…but for the serious student this is very important.
b. Mark any words that are of interest to you. (I always mark “because” or “for” when it means because. I mark a “P” in the margin for anything that I think is Prophecy. I mark an “I” in the margin if I see any promises to Israel. What is of interest to you?)
Write out by hand these important verses - Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim.2:13-15.

LOOK!
This section is where you will spend most of your study time. Read the verses again.
Research these words you marked in the STOP! section using a Bible Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance, or other resource. Do not study a commentary until your personal study is complete.

One of the important themes in the study of Adam and Eve is the role of men and women that God intended. What do you see? Remember to Keep It Sacred Scripture (KISS).

Getting back to our basic technique….part of crossing the street is to “Look right! Look left!” Scan the horizon.” Identify where this story took place. Can we locate Eden on a map? What about ‘east of Eden’? “Look right”…this story impacts every story that follows in Scripture. God gave the man and the woman a perfect place and perfect lives. The two chose to disobey God…as it goes on today.

Remember to look for your four “P’s. The story of Eve is the “beginning of it all.”

1. Practice what is the ongoing custom or tradition that is repeated –or started? What can we learn from this that will influence our understanding of the story?
2. Precept- a specific rule, command, instruction. Are any given? Note who gives the command and to whom the command is given. “Do not eat…” “Go forth and multiply.”

3. Principle- a belief, a standard. A general truth. A fundamental assumption. A generally acceptable rule of action or behavior, i.e. moral principles. Husband relationship? Husband as leader? Wife as helper? What is started in the ‘beinning’?

4. Progressive Revelation- information that is unveiled a little at a time. Do we see the beginning of a theme…what is revealed? What about the ‘curse’ to the serpent, Eve, and Adam?

What men were important in the life of Eve besides Adam?

Note to whom God speaks. To whom does God give the commands? Does God speak directly to Eve? What words did Eve say that we have recorded?

How do God’s ‘curses’ on Adam, Eve and the serpent impact us today? Who or what is the ‘Seed’?

One of the most familiar verses in Scripture is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How do these two verses apply to the study of this woman - for Christians in general, and you in particular.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for

a. doctrine(teaching)…(what do we see in these verses?)
b. for reproof(rebuke, censure, conviction)…. (what do we see in these verses?)
c. for correction(correction of error)… (what do we see in these verses?)
d. for instruction in righteousness(acting in accordance with Gods teachings)… (what do we see in these verses?)
e. (so) that the man (or woman) of God, may be complete(having reached full maturation, competent, capable to meet all demands)… (what do we see in these verses?)
f. thoroughly equipped for every good work….(what do we see in these verses?)

I love this…..Scripture says that men are made out of dirt….women are not!!

LISTEN!
Read the verses one last time.
What is God trying to teach us in these verses?
What would we have missed if this story had not been written?
What can I apply to my life today? (This is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all! This is why we study!)
Pick out one verse that ‘speaks to you,” and hand write it out. You might even memorize it.

Have some fun with the study of this woman. This will help you absorb the contents:
a. Write a poem or song about the woman and her story
b. Draw a picture that represents this story
c. Write other verses of Scripture that remind you of the message of this woman…..for instance…wives are to be submissive to husbands, family

ABIGAIL

2010-01-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study Technique
1 Samuel 25; 2 Sam. 2:2-3; 1 Chron 3:1-9

“Bible Study” is just that – study! It is not casual, recreational reading. Bible Study is hard work. We do not have to be Biblical scholars to find out the meaning of what God has to say to us. With help of the Holy Spirit, some time, a few study techniques, and diligence, even a layperson can understand Scripture.

STOP!
Pray. Ask God to open your eyes and heart to the truths in His Word. Pray for no distractions or interruptions. Get your Bible. Make note of what Bible translation are you using? Why have you chosen this translation? (I strongly recommend that you use KJ,NKJ, or NAS)

Read the verses at one sitting (if possible). Slow down and look at each word.
a. Mark or list any words you do not fully understand. (If you are using a KJV you might have a longer list because of the use of the old English language). Research these words using a Bible Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance, or other resource. Do not study a commentary until your personal study is complete.
For example: What is LORD? What is the difference between LORD and Lord?

b. Mark any words that are of interest to you. (I always mark “because” or “for” when it means because. I mark a “P” in the margin for anything that I think is Prophecy. I mark an “I” in the margin if I see any promises to Israel. What is of interest to you?)

c. As you study the women of the Old Testament be sure to search a concordance to see if the woman is mentioned in the New Testament, and read those verses also. There is no mention of Abigail in the NT, but there is another Abigail in 1 Chro 2:16-17- but a different Abigail.

LOOK!
This section is where you will spend most of your study time. Read the verses again.
(This is a great story) This a study of Abigail, but list the men associated with her life, and note how they interact with her.

Getting back to our basic technique….part of crossing the street is to “Look right! Look left!” Study the verses/chapters around this story. How to the preceding events affect this story? How does this story affect the events that follow? Also….”scan the horizon.” Identify where this story took place. Find it on a map. Geography is important.

She is from Carmel. Is the Mt. Carmel, like Elijah, or another Carmel?

If God speaks, note to whom God speaks. If this is a study about a person(s), what is recorded that they said?

Now just look at her speech. What did she say? What was her attitude?

Abigail and the beginning of the monarchy - think about what history/miracles that she witnessed or was part of during her life that might not be mentioned specifically in these verses, What might Abigail have thought about the later Bathsheba situation? David was not king when they got married. She was witness to his coronation….and his running in the desert.

Did she have any children? I wonder what she thought of Bathsheebas son becoming the next king…why not hers? What other women might she have known in the palace?
She might have witnessed David’s dancing in the streets as Miriam did…there is no record of her reaction…….what else…..is there any indication if there was romantic love between Abigail and Nabal or David? She was respectful and submissive to both husbands. What can her actions teach us about marriage?

One of the most important things about Abigail is that she saved David from a very bad mistake. I call it ‘saving the seed.’ She kept David ‘right’ with God. What did she do and say that changed David’s mind about his plan to kill Nabal? How did this have eternal consequences?

For the story of Abigail – is it important to read about the other wives of David, and the sons?

One of the most familiar verses in Scripture is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How do these two verses apply to the study of this woman - for Christians in general, and you in particular?
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for

a. doctrine(teaching),
b. for reproof(rebuke, censure, conviction),
c. for correction(correction of error),
d. for instruction in righteousness(acting in accordance with Gods teachings),
e. (so) that the man (or woman) of God, may be complete(having reached full maturation, competent, capable to meet all demands) ,
f. thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
SEE THE JAN 15 POST FOR DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 2 TIM. 3:16-16

LISTEN!
Read the verses one last time.
What is God trying to teach us in these verses? What would we have missed if this story had not been written? What can I apply to my life today? This is the MOST IMPORTANT question of all! This is why we study!
Pick out one verse and hand write it out. You might even memorize it.

Have some fun with the study of this woman. This will help you absorb the contents:
a. Write a poem or song about the woman and her story
b. Draw a picture that represents this story
c. List verses in other books that remind you of the message of this woman.

Also...I have just finished writing an article.... "Israel A-Z" that I have been sending out to my
list for Moriah Christian Tours newsletter. You are not on that list. (If you would like
to be on the list let me know.) jpsant3@live.com

We are going to Israel in June and I want to give people an idea of what they will
experience on the trip. Thought you might like to see it, or pass it on to someone else.
Go to our web site for more info. Deposits are due by June 30.

2009 Almost the End of a Decade

2009-12-29T03:26:00.001-08:00

My dear friend Jerry wrote a message on his Facebook that began…. “As 2009 comes to an end I am reflecting on my....” This started me thinking….we are coming to the end of another decade – what did I do with my life?
It has been an interesting decade so far. I feel that I have grown in my walk with the Lord, and have helped others grow also. Who could ask for more? But I can always do better, move closer to the things of God.
God has had me on the move in the past years. I call these my “missionary journeys for the Lord.” Since 2000 I have moved cross country three times and was a member of seven wonderful churches. I have been a member of a church of a well known t.v. pastor that would fill with 1,000 each week, and a church that had 50 in attendance. I have had pastors that were soft-spoken and humble, and others that were outgoing firebrands, and everything in between. I have been blessed to have led women in Bible Study at each church.
With a year left in this decade it is a good time for me to not only reflect on what has passed, but to wonder what lies ahead. As a senior adult, and with the condition of the world, every year, every day counts. As I look ahead, and attempt to have a plan, I ask myself these questions – perhaps you might ask them of yourself also:
Where I am with the Lord? Am I still growing? Do I still have that wide-eyed wonder and reverence that I had as a new Christian?
I say I am growing, and say that I love the Lord. What things might indicate my spiritual growth and closeness to the Lord? Talk is cheap. Action speak louder than words.
Communication with the Lord. Do I pray? What do I pray for? Is my attitude, “God meet my needs,” or “ Thy will be done”? I need to pray more often.
Do I read the Word? Do I study the Word and seek to understand its meaning, and the message to me from the Lord? How much time to I spend studying the Word in relation to time I spend at the movies, reading magazines, or Christian fiction? How much time do I spend in the Word, even in relation to textbooks that I might be studying?
Church membership. Do I look forward to attending church? Is my focus worship, or entertainment? Is my focus worship or meeting my own needs? I want to always keep the sense of awe and reverence as I approach the Lord on “the Lord’s Day.” I want to have my attitude and attire reflect that I am approaching the Lord on ‘His Day.” It should never become just another day to me – I want it to be a special, set-apart day. Its all about Him, not about me.
Service and sacrifice. I love verse from Romans 12, to “…present my body a living sacrifice”…. But I can do better. A sacrifice is brought to the Lord, spotless, whole and dedicated. I want my entire life to be focused on the Lord. Like Anna in Luke 2, who “lived in the temple, praying and fasting.’ I want to be like Anna, totally given over to things of the Lord.
Attachment to the world. I want to separate myself from the world. This is difficult. The world surrounds me. Worldly people surround me in my family and in the community. My true family is in the church. I must come apart from things important to the world – “sex, drugs, rock and roll” as we used to say, represents the things of the world. Attachment to success, money and most of all attachment to “things.” I see this creeping into even the church family. Paul said that he was ‘content in all things.’ Let me remember that spiritual treasures are more important and longer lasting than earthly treasure and “things.”
What else…so much more….this is just a beginning. My prayer is that the year 2010 will be a decade of great change for me…that I might be not only tucked safely under the wing of the Lord, but that I am changing to be more and more like Jesus every day. That I am obedient and faithful. This is just the beginning.

He Called Her Daughter

2009-12-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

This was printed on the web site "Celebrating Hope" in March 09

http://celebratehope.net/2009/03/27/he-called-her-daughter/

He Called Her Daughter

March 27, 2009

by Jeanne Sant
Two of my friends and I are touched by cancer. One in remission, one with a recurrence, and one with the dreadful new diagnosis. As I prayed for us today, not in fear or sadness, but in faith, I was reminded of the woman in Scripture, who like us, was dreadfully ill – the woman with an issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48:

And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.”
But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”
When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

The doctors had done what was earthly possible. The woman went to Jesus in faith and reached out to just touch the hem of His robe. Aside from the miraculous healing, the thing that touches my heart in this story is that Jesus called her “daughter.” This is the only woman in Scripture that Jesus addressed as “daughter.”

He did not call her “daughter of Abraham” nor “daughter of Jerusalem.” He did not call her “woman,” a bland and generic label, which he even used to address his own mother.

He called her “daughter.” His daughter. An endearing term. A term of relationship. His “daughter?” If we can be called His “daughter,” we can be secure and safe in the knowledge that our Father knows us and loves us even in our most dark seasons of life.

I am His “daughter,” and that gives me great comfort.
May you also be comforted today .

Another Christmas Story

2009-12-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

Women’s Study Hall: Samaritan Woman
(John 4:1-42)

December is here and thoughts turn to the Christmas story. My friend Judy, called and asked me to suggest a text or theme for a short devotional she has to present to her Sunday School class for Christmas. “Something unusual, not the same thing that everyone else might present,” she said.

The answer for me is easy. I believe the story of the Samaritan Woman is a great Christmas Story!! It is the story of a gift - the gift of a miracle - the miracle of a life changed for eternity.

Stop
Read John 4:1-42. Slow down and read each word. Make a list of words that are repeated, or that you do not fully understand. What seems surprising to you? Or new to you?
Ask out three questions: Why has God given me this story? What would I miss out on if this story were not in Scripture? How can I apply this story to my own life? Add a forth question: How is this a Christmas story?

Look
Read John 4:1-42 again.
In the study of the Woman at the Well, we are drawn to the main character – Jesus. He is our focus as the Messiah who comes to a village in the early part of His ministry, and reveals something to a sinful woman, that He reveals to very few people; the long awaited Messiah has come and is standing in front of her.

The story of Jesus and His encounter with the Samaritan woman is preached and studied often with the emphasis on evangelism – how Jesus reaches out to a Gentile woman to offer her eternal life. We study His love, care and concern, and her response. She is the first person to whom Jesus admits that He is the Messiah. She believes, accepts His gift of eternal life – then goes and tells the others in the village.

Jesus selected different metaphors to explain salvation to individuals. In the chapter before this one (Luke 3) Jesus uses the metaphors of “being born again” and “the wind blowing” to explain in a word picture the truths of salvation to a religious and educated man. Here in this story of the sinful, pagan woman in Samaria, Jesus uses the metaphor of a “gift” to explain to her about the life changing, and sustaining salvation that is available to her. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink….,” (verse 10) He never uses this exact metaphor again in recorded Scripture.

The Greek word used here for “gift” means a supernatural, God-given gift. It is not the word that means a charismatic gift, like spiritual gifts given to believers, and it is not the word gift that means the giving of a present to someone. Jesus never uses this particular word again. This alone should make us want to study the meaning of this particular type of gift that Jesus offers to the woman…and to us.

A supernatural, God-given gift. It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can give the gift of eternal life. He comes to her, as he does to us in various ways, and offers her this supernatural gift. He places the offer of the gift before her, without any indication that she has done anything to deserve it, and her response is to reject it or accept this miraculous, eternity changing, offer. She accepts, and her life is never the same.

Listen
Ask: Why has God given me this story? What would I miss out on if this story were not in Scripture? How can I apply this story to my own life?

This story can be used at Christmas to explain the gift of eternal life. Because it is not the usual Christmas story, people may be more inclined to listen to what you have to say.
Jesus comes to a woman and offers her a gift. A supernatural gift. Did she really understand it all…like us probably not, but she realized that He was the Messiah, the one who would bring cleaning and peace to her soul. Jesus made his way to her at her place of comfort, her place of usual routine. He reached out and ‘got her attention.’

That’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus comes as a baby and offers the world a supernatural gift, the gift of eternal life. He comes to a world, to us, who are so unworthy to receive this gift. Anyone can receive this gift, and no one really deserves it.

I love the Christmas season. I love standing in long lines at the mall and WalMart! I love it!! I use this opportunity to mention the name of Jesus to those standing around me! You can do it too. You can tell people in a friendly, non-threatening way about the gift of eternal life! My technique is to get eye contact with someone, and glance at the magazine rack. Make some comment about what is on the cover of that gossip magazine, and say something about it and the condition of the world to spark the conversation. During the year I say, “I’m so glad that Jesus is coming back soon and is going to get us out of this mess.” Then I don’t say anything more. They just have to think about it! Believers will nod their heads, or say something in agreement. Non-believers will look quizzically or dumbfounded - at least they have heard the name of Jesus this day and have something to think about!

This Christmas let us rejoice and worship in an attitude of thanksgiving. God gave us the baby in the manger. God gave us, He offers to us, the gift of salvation. “Happy Birthday Baby Jesus…and thank You for giving to us the gift of eternal life.”

I would love to hear your comments – jpsant@netzero.net.

Samaritan Woman

Like the empty jug
Fill my empty soul,
I feel dry and dead,
Fill and make me whole.

Scorned and alone,
Knife of hostility cut deep,
Townswomen, not friendly,
Would never speak.

Always looking for love,
Bad life choices,
Then you come to me,
My once-dead soul rejoices.

“Give me a drink,” His followers gone,
Conversation that would burn my soul,
With gentle eyes and gentle voice,
He was unlike men of my previous choice.

Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.

I was intrigued by this Jew who spoke to me,
Little did I know He would set me free.
A gift to give of eternal life,
I realized my sin, and had new life.

Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.

Like the jug of water, made of clay,
He took control, like the potter that day,
Living Water filled to the brim,
Overflowing with life, I believed in Him.

Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.

You too were scorned,
But with nails and a cross,
You took my sin
I am reborn through your loss.

Man with the kind voice, I love you.

Women and Bible Study

2009-11-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hunger for the Word: the Hidden Spiritual Gift?
By Jeanne Sant

Why do some Christians hunger for the Word, and others not? Does God want women to study the Word?

I was gloriously saved at the age of 42 in 1987! In an instant of time I was brought into the Kingdom of God - and have never been the same. I hungered for the Word and that has continued to this very day. The day I was saved I immediately got into Gods Word to see what He had to say for me, and I continue to be in the Word daily.

I am no spiritual superstar. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit has put it on my heart to hunger for the Word, to be in constant study. It is not my choice, it is the energy, and guidance of the Holy Spirit! But is it a spiritual gift to want to study the Word Of God? Why do some of us, professing born-again Christians, study and others not?

A year after I had been saved I began to notice that I seemed to have a better grasp of Gods Word, than women who had been Christians 20-30 years. Women in their 50, 60, even 70s did not seem to know some basics. What had they been studying all those years? Sometimes I was not only amazed at their lack of knowledge, but embarrassed for them. I am no spiritual giant-I feel average and wonder why "average" women do not hunger for God's Word.

Many of the Senior Adult ladies have told me that as young women they were never encouraged to study the Word of God – so they never got into the daily habit-and most of them see no need to begin now.

Do women want to study? Many do and I am blessed by their lives and knowledge. I am challenged by them and learn from what they have studied and teach to me. A woman who studies the word has a sense of steadiness about her. She is solid in her faith. She knows her LORD. There are many serious Woman's Leaders such as Kay Arthur, Ann Graham Lotz, and Joyce Myers, to name just a few. You go gals!!! Teach the Word! Teach the serious, factual Word! I am blessed by these and others also.

Over the past 15 years I have been a member of 4 different churches (I have lived in 4 different cities). Small congregations, and large congregations. I do not see many women in serious Bible Study. Just small pockets of women here and there meeting to seriously study the Word of God in depth. Where are the others? I have figured out that the other women must be in secret, private Bible Study groups. Why have they not publicized these groups so we can join in? Where and when are these clandestine groups? They must be out there!

Many women do study at home alone and have no interest in a group study. I have led a ladies Sunday School class almost continually since I was a new believer. Most Sundays I ask the class if they have read their lesson prior to coming to class. Just a simple little Sunday School lesson. A few do read and prepare for Sunday. Many times I will say to the others, "I know why you did not have time to study this simple little Sunday School lesson, you must have been spending so much of your time this week in some other deep, serious Bible Study." They usually smile and look sheepish.
Time. Maybe it is a time factor that women do not study. I am single again, and have no children. Even when I work 40 hours a week I am in serious Bible Study. I realize that I have much more time to study than others. I really do realize that. God has arranged my life with much free time so that I can study. Perhaps this is the spiritual gift - the "gift of free time," so that we have no excuse for not studying the Word of God. What are you doing with your time?

Some women consider daily bible study as reading their “Daily Bread, “Journey” or other prepared devotional – yet they never open an actual Bible.

Is “the hunger to study” a spiritual gift that is not listed in the Scripture? Why do some study and others not? Does God want women to study the Scripture? Not anywhere in the Scripture does it seem to indicate that the “hunger to study” is a spiritual gift. It is an issue of the heart and a discipline like prayer, worship, tithing, good works, etc… Reading and studying the Word of God is submission and obedience.

Not only do women not hunger for the word of God, but when they do study, many study in a "fluffy" emotional way. I realize that God made women as “relational and emotional” and we need fun and fellowship when we gather together. Today there even seems to be an upsurge of women studying the word of God, but if you look closely, many of those leaders base their programs on humor, and "feelings," and never get down to a serious, meaningful study.

Just observe what is said as you listen to women teach. One nationally known woman speaker constantly sprinkles all of her teachings with the words, "I feel," "me," my experience," etc... Emotion, feelings. The Word of God and the truths of God are based on facts, not feelings. We are to base our truth on the Word of God and not the Word of God on our feelings.

This well known, national leader states that we must pay attention to our feelings and the Word of God. She is wrong. Our feelings may lead us astray, but Gods Word does not. This “feelings” and ‘fluffy’ approach to Bible Study seems to appeal to many women. Maybe “fluffy study” is better than no Bible Study at all. (?)

What can you do to increase your Bible Study?
1. Admit that God does want women to study the Scripture.
2. Go to God in repentance for hours, days and years lost to you.
3. Ask God to impress on your heart the importance of His Word.
4. Pray for time and no distractions.
5. Get someone to help you. Talk to a mature woman in your church to guide you.
6. Put all other reading aside, even the daily news paper. Why are you reading this when you can be reading the Word of God?
7. Turn off your TV for an hour a day.
8. Bible study means growth and change to be more like Jesus. Look at any studies or groups you are involved in now. Are you challenged by your Sunday School teacher or group leader? Is what you learn applied to daily living? Is it the Word of God or the word of someone else? How much time of your group gathering is actual study and how much is socializing?

Last but not least – this should be first thing you do:
9. Pray, pray, pray for a hunger to be in the Word. God will hear
and will bless you. The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth.

God wants all of His children to study His word and be obedient – that includes women. The Holy Spirit will lead you into obedience – that is really the issue.

God Loves Israel

2009-11-21T04:18:00.000-08:00

This Bible Study, using the Stop! Look! Listen! technique appeared iin the November 2009 on-line issue of the "In His Presence" Christian publication.

IN HIS PRESENCE Women’s Study Hall

Over the past few months we have studied specific women of Scripture using the Stop! Look! Listen! technique. This same technique can be used to study specific sections of Scripture, or themes, as a topical study.

Today’s news is full of reference to Israel and the situation in the Middle East. Have you ever asked why the world seems to hate Israel? Israel is only the size of New Jersey! There is no oil or other resources that might make nations want to take possession of the land! It is the smallest nation in the Middle East, having the smallest military force! What’s the big deal with Israel that seems to bring it to the forefront of all discussions on Middle East tensions? A study of Scripture might just disclose why the focus of unrest in the Middle East in 2009 is Israel.

Two themes run through the entire Scripture. One is called “the Scarlet Thread,” scarlet representing the blood of Jesus, and His sacrifice for us. This thread is seen in every book from Genesis (the ‘seed’), through Revelation (the King of Kings comes back.)

Another thread, recurring theme, is Israel. The Bible tells the story of the people and nation of Israel from Genesis (Abraham as the father of the Hebrews) through Revelation (Jesus returns to Jerusalem.) An overall study of prophecy, centers on two themes…Jesus…and Israel. Amazing! Due to the limited amount of space in this column we cannot study Israel in all its facets, but lets take a very brief look at a few verses that tell of God’s love of for, and promises to Israel.

The People and Land of Israel

Gen 12:1-3, 7; Gen. 13:14-15; Gen. 15:18; Gen. 26:3; Deut. 7:6-9; 9:6-7; Jer. 31:35-37; Heb. 11:12

Stop! Pray for God to give you the time and focus on all that He wants to teach you.
Always begin by looking at your Bible. You should be using a study Bible, not a paraphrase.

Ask “What do I already know about historical Israel? Biblical Israel? Modern Israel? “What questions do I have?” “Is this study important, or even necessary?” Take the time to actually write out the answers to these questions…you might be surprised at what you find!

Read Gen 12:1-3, 7; Gen. 13:14-15; Gen. 15:18; Gen. 26:3; Deut. 7:6-9; 9:6-7; Jer. 31:35-37: Heb. 11:12 that speak of God’s covenant with Abraham and the title to the land. Read for general information.

Read the verses again making note of words or phrases that you might need to research further; repeated words, words of interest, etc. Every word is from God. What jumps off the page at you? As you read the verses a second time I recommend something that is unusual. Hand-write out all these verses. By doing this you will greatly improve your retention of the material.

The common questions that people seem to have when they study Israel are: Why did God choose the Jews as His special people? Are the promises made to Abraham still in effect today? How should the church respond/relate to Israel today? These are difficult questions for many of us. As you study Scripture, try to put your opinions aside and just KISS…keep it sacred Scripture.

There are literally hundreds of verses that reflect that God loves Israel: Jer. 12:7-8 (God calls Israel ‘the dearly beloved of My soul”), Ps. 89:30-34, Is. 65:8-9, Amos 9:4 and many more. There are many verses that speak about the possession of the land: Gen. 28:13; Ex. 3:8, 15-17.

Lamentations 2:22b seems to say that God ‘bore’ Israel, “Those whom I have borne and brought up…..” God never says he ‘bore’ any other nation.

Jerusalem and the Temple Mount are often mentioned in the nightly news. There are many verses that reflect God’s love for Jerusalem specifically. Psalm 48:1-2 calls Jerusalem (Zion), “ the city of God,” “the joy of the whole earth.”

Most of the direct references to God’s love for Israel are found in the Old Testament, yet Jesus spoke about Israel, as did others, in the New Testament: study Matthew 2:6; 10:6; 23:37-38: Luke 1:33, 54-55, 68, 77, and Luke 2:32.

Look! Read the verses again. Begin to ask questions about the content. Go back and research the words that you listed in the Stop! section. Bible study is just that – study!
To ‘study’ the Word you will need a Bible dictionary, Bible encyclopedia, and concordance. Purchase these, or borrow them, or go on the internet for information. A note about all these: know who gives the information, know their basic beliefs. Stick to well known and respected writers/scholars.

Look left! For each Scripture read the verses immediately preceding them to get the complete picture of what is going on…the context. Look right! Do the same with the verses that immediately follow these verses. How do these verses impact what you are studying? It is interesting to note that God also has some harsh words for Israel, yet His love continues.

Listen! Ask our three questions:
Why did God give us these verses?
What if these verses had been left out of Scripture?
ASK “SO WHAT!!” How can I apply these verses to my life today? (What do the events going on in Israel have to do with me today?

Three challenges for you:
1. On a map of the world find Israel. Most people don’t even know where Israel is located. (Don’t use the map in the back of your Bible…that’s too easy!)
2. For the next few weeks as you read Scripture, look for references to God’s love and promises to Israel. Mark an “I” (for Israel) in the margin of your Bible.
3. Keep an eye on the newspaper or news programs…look for any mention of Israel. You might be surprised at what you find.

I would love to hear your comments. E-mail me at jpsant@netzero.net.

Totally Unrelated!!

2009-11-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

Totally unrelated...but I want my voice heard!!
The new guidelines for mammograms for women "not being needed" as often...is a disaster!!! As a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed during a routine mammogram I think this is outrageous!! A new medical standard or just cost saving???

Thanksgiving Prayers 2008 and 2009

2009-11-17T05:55:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Prayer 2009

The year has come and gone.
Many changes.
Many challenges,
And even a few tears.
I have so much to be thankful for!

Yes, some tears
For lost friends,
Lost church,
Lost pastor.
But I still have so much to be thankful for!

Thankful for new house,
Good health,
Personal success with my writing.
I have so much to be thankful for!

Thankful for a new church,
New friends,
New Ministry.
I have so much to be thankful for!

Most of all I am thankful for
Old friends back in my life,
April, Brenda Lois,Maryann, Peggy, Sharon, Wilodene
( in alphabetical order J)
And so many others…..
I have so much to be thankful for!

I am thankful for the love of God in my life.
Constant.
Very evident.
He is faithful when I am not.

I have so much to be thankful for!

A Thanksgiving Prayer 2008

"Thank you Lord for another year. We have had out ups-and-downs, yet You have been faithful through it all. I thank you for my family. Without them I would be alone.

We don’t have the same politics

But they are my family.

We don’t believe the same spiritually

But they are my family.

Our lifestyles are not similar

But they are my family.

We don’t have much in common

But they are my family.

We are about as dysfunctional as the people next door

Yes, they are my family,

And You gave them to me.

Thank you Lord for my family.
Let me love them more,
and serve them more,
and show You to them more often, in 2010.

I thank you for my family. Without them I would be alone."

(That sure speaks to my heart...what about you?? Now go and have a Happy Thanksgiving get together with your family.)

Love, Jeanne Pass it on... Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Bible Study Basics

2009-11-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

What Are the "Basics" ?
As I sat down to write my next blog about basics, the thought came to me...what are the basics, and who says so? The basics are the foundation of our faith, and our daily walk in the world.

We often talk about "Biblical Basics." The basics of our faith. Usually we list them as Prayer, Worship, Bible Study, Church Life, Service, Giving, etc.... Who says so? Is there anything in Scripture that tells us what are the basics?

I began looking in Scripture for an answer to those questions. Are there any lists or portions of Scripture that specifically say... "These are the basics"? What I have found so far begins with the Ten Commandments...a general list of basics.

As the people left Egypt under the leadership of Moses they were becoming a nation. At Mount Sinai, God spoke to Moses and gave a list of 'do's and don'ts.' These may be the beginning of what we consider basics. The first section of the Ten Commandments speak of how man should approach God - as the focus of their lives, and with honor - and love. A bit later God gave the Israelites the directions for building the Tabernacle…. A focus on worship….perhaps here we will find a list of “basics”…salvation, giving, obedience, salvation….this is a start.

The other portions of the Ten Commandments focus on the relationship between people. A summary statement might be...love and respect all people - or the old - do unto others as you do to yourself.

As basics, God instructs love, respect and worship of God, and also love and respect for other people. The Ten Commandments and the Tabernacle.

These are great places to begin as we study the ‘basics’.

Bible Study Techniuqe

2009-07-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

10/12/09

Hey North Acres Baptist Church ladies....no cheating....we will discuss the basics of Bible Study next Sunday.
I have temporarily taken off my blog about my Bible Study Technique....we will talk about it in class...then you can see my notes :)

I have also deleted several of my blogs/studies....as we will be studying this info in depth in class.

Happy 4th of July USA

2009-06-26T07:16:00.001-07:00

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Country
THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Pray for the Peace of Israel

2009-03-05T04:46:00.001-08:00

I have moved the prayer blog to its own site. For Pray for the Peace of Israel go to www.prayforthepeaceofisrael.blogspot.com.

Trip to Israel

2008-09-29T06:29:00.001-07:00

If you would like to see a blog about my 2008 trip to Israel - see www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com.

Is There a Spiritual Gift of Bible Study? - II

2008-09-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Let me add a parenthesis here. Some of you might be saying….”it is the teachers fault.” Believe me, I have thought this and blamed myself also. But deep in my heart I know that this is not true. I say, without pride or self-centeredness that I am a great teacher. I literally spend hour after hour preparing for a simple class. I present information, in not only a clear and concise manner, but in an interesting and often entertaining way.

Comment number one: I believe these women who do not read and study Scripture are all born again believers. I believe this with a my heart.

Comment number two: I believe there probably is a spiritual gift of Bible Study. I have it while others do not.

I do not have the gift of hospitality or decorating. I do not have the gift of music, nor of organization. I do not have the gift of mercy (just ask anyone who knows me very well.)
I do have the gift of teaching and, even if I could not teach I would be in the Word of God on a consistent basis. I believe that I have the spiritual gift of Bible Study.

Now for all those who do not have the spiritual gift of Bible Study – as with all gifts, just because we do not have the gift does not mean we cannot/should not operate our lives without that gift. Just because I do not have the gift of hospitality does not mean that I cannot open my home and be hospitable. Just because I do not have the gift of music does not mean that I do not worship God with music. Just because I do not have the gift of mercy does not mean that I do not visit the shut-ins.

Now the reverse is true. Can we get into trouble with our gifts? Can we use our gifts in such a way that does not give glory to God or edify the church? Absolutely. Someone with the gift of mercy or hospitality can become a doormat or be taken advantage of in such a way that would not glorify God. Someone with the gift of music could focus on all things musical and not get involved in any other activities of the church that would glorify God.

And I have to be careful. Just because I have the gift of Bible Study does not mean that I should be judgmental of those who do not have the gift. As Paul said, “desire all the gifts, but above all desire the gift of love” (a paraphrase.) Scripture indicates that all the gifts are good, and that we should desire the gifts. I should desire to me more merciful, more hospitable, more musical, and those who do not have the spiritual gift of Bible Study should desire that in their life.

So I believe that my pastor was probably right when he said there are more spiritual gifts than are listed in Scripture. I believe I have the spiritual gift of Bible Study.

I would love to know what you think – contact me at jpsant@netzero.net

Is There the Spiritual Gift of "Bible Study?" I

2008-09-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I had a conversation with a pastor about the topic of spiritual gifts. He made a comment that did not come to my mind again until just recently. The pastor said, “I believe that there must be spiritual gifts that God gives us as believers, to continue His plan and program here on earth, that are not listed in Scripture.”

I thought about that comment this week as I examined my own life. I have been a Christian for 20 years. I was 42 years old when I was born again. My life changed immediately. God gave me the gift of teaching. Within a month of my conversion I was leading a ladies Bible Study, not because I wanted to lead, but I needed to be in a group study, and no one else would lead it. I have lead a Bible Study almost continually for the last 20 years (believe me, my knowledge and technique have greatly improved since that day in 1987.)

I know that God has given me the gift of teaching. It is supernatural – I love the research, the reading, the studying, but most of all I love leading women into the pages of Scripture. And, most supernaturally of all – I am good at it!

Upon self examination I also have come to the conclusion that there probably are spiritual gifts that we do not recognize as such. I believe that one of the gifts is the desire to be in God’s Word. The “gift” of Bible Study.

All gifts are to edify the church and to bring glory to God. For the person who loves to study the Bible (maybe not teach or preach the Bible) the study of Scripture does glorify God and build up the church.

Why would I say that Bible Study is a “spiritual gift?” A spiritual gift is a supernatural, special action, a special lifestyle – not all Christians have it. I believe that there must be a spiritual gift of “Bible Study.”

If we are Christians, love God, serve God, and are obedient, why is it that so many Christians are not in the Word of God on a regular basis? I say this not to be critical – on the contrary, I say this to explain why so many Christians do not study the Word.

I am no spiritual giant. I am just a woman who loves the Lord and loves to be in the study of the Word. Paul even said, he could not help but preach the word. I cannot help but be in the Word. It is a supernatural need. There must be a spiritual gift of “Bible Study.”

My days of criticizing women who do not study Scripture are over. I have come to this decision after years of being not only disappointed, but so very surprised, when it is brought to my attention that women have no interest in the Word of God. What do I base this on?

Over the 20 years that I have been a Christian I have been a member of seven churches, eleven pastors, and have taught numerous Bible Studies, and Sunday School classes. In those 20 years I have only found two “pockets” of women who have loved to study Scripture – women who were willing, and looked forward to, opening up the Bible during the week to seek out answers, and then to come back into the group and discussed what they had found. What a joy these ladies have brought into my life.

I have always had women who come to my Bible Study and Sunday School classes, but more often than not, they want to just show up and listen, not to go home and study for themselves.

My dear sweet ladies at Chilhoweehills Baptist Church in Knoxville TN, and the dear sweet ladies at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon CA are the two groups that gave me encouragement when I was discouraged by the level of commitment among women when it came to Bible Study. I believe that God blessed me during these two points in my life with women who also had the “spiritual gift of Bible Study.”

Thank You God for giving me these ladies as an encouragement.

(Coming next – Part II Spiritual Gift of Bible Study)

What Are the "Basics" ? (Part I)

2008-08-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

As I sat down to write my next blog about basics, the thought came to me...what are the basics, and who says so? The basics are the foundation of our faith, and our daily walk in the world.

We often talk about "Biblical Basics." Usually we list them as Prayer, Worship, Bible Study, Church Life, Service, Giving, etc.... Who says so? Is there anything in Scripture that tells us what are the basics?

I began looking in Scripture for an answer to those questions. Are there any lists or portions of Scripture that specifically say... "These are the basics"? What I have found so far begins with the Ten Commandments...a general list of basics.

As the people left Egypt under the leadership of Moses they were becoming a nation. At Mount Sinai, God spoke to Moses and gave a list of 'do's and don'ts.' These may be the beginning of what we consider basics. The first section of the Ten Commandments speak of how man should approach God - as the focus of their lives, and with honor - and love. There is no specific mention of Worship, but it is there. Love and respect for God is the overriding theme.

The other portions of the Ten Commandments focus on the relationship between people. A summary statement might be...love and respect all people - or the old - do unto others as you do to yourself.

As basics, God instructs love, respect and worship of God, and also love and respect for other people.

That is a start.

My next blog will discuss what else I found - that might be considered a list.

Please contact me if you have other ideas about where the "basics" are listed in Scripture.

Why Study the Bible-It is Truth

2008-07-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

Bible Basics – Why is the Bible Considered True (Given by God)*

1. The unity and completeness of the Bible. A “Scarlet Thread” runs through the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. It all points to Jesus.

2. The Bible has been and continues to be the world’s best selling book. It has lasted for centuries.

3. The Bible continues to impact day to day issues. News today is full of discussion about same-sex marriage, the posting of the Ten Commandments, prayer in school and at public gatherings etc… No other religious writing has this impact.

4. The Bible changes people by transforming the heart. It speaks of sin, forgiveness and salvation.

5. The Bible has inspired people from all walks of life and for those filled with the Holy Spirit is a wealth of guidance for daily life, today in 2008 as much as in past years i.e. 1608, 1708, 1808 etc…

6. The specific focus of its teachings evidence a Divine authorship. It is unlike any other teaching. It points our sin and evil, as well as goodness and grace.

7. The Bible says it is the Word of God (over 2,000 times.)

8. Science points to the fact that it is a divinely inspired book. Several verses mention that the earth is round (Job 26:7). Isaiah states, “He who sits above the circle of the earth.” Supernatural information given to men by a divine author.

9. Scripture says that it was given to men, dictated by God: 2 Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 1:21, and Zech. 7:12.

All of these reasons, plus others, tells us that the Scripture is 'supernatural.' God has indeed given us this book and it is True.

*Taken From
Kennedy, D. James. What if the Bible Had Never Been Written? Thomas Nelson. 1998

Pink, Arthur W., The Divine inspiration of the Bible. Sovereign Grace Publication, Lafayette IN 2003

Willmington. H.L. Doctrine of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Pub. 1974.

Back to Basics III

2008-07-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Bible Basics
Why Study the Bible

Because it is the Word of God!! Also**

1.It helps settle us Eph 4:14
2.It will help save us from false teaching 1 Tim. 4:13-16
3.It will help us reflect God in our lives 2 Tim. 2:12
4.It will help us equip ourselves for the life God has planned for us 2 Tim 3:13-17.
5.We will understand the history of Israel 1 Cor. 10:1-5
6.We will understand the restoration of Israel Ro. 11:25
7.We will understand spiritual gifts 1 Cor. 12;1
8.We will understand the return of Christ 1 Thes. 4:13-17
9.We will understand the destruction of the earth 2 Pet.3:1,10

Also
10.Know about salvation and the God who gives us salvation.
11.Guidelines for our daily Christian living.

**Adapted from (If you have not ever read anything by Willmington - you are missing out!!)
Willmington, Harold L. Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists. Tyndale House. 1987.

Back to Basics II

2008-07-19T15:36:00.001-07:00

Bible Study is a Do-It-Yourself Project

Do-it-yourself!

Yes, we get together for Bible Study, and for hearing messages from Scripture spoken to us by our leaders, but in many ways Bible Study is a Do-It-Yourself project. The average Christian spends an insignificant amount of time actually studying Scripture (in comparison to time spent watching TV, participating in sports events, etc…). I said in my last blog, most people who attend a Bible Study show up to listen, with very little in-depth study being done at home by themselves.

Bible study is just that – study, and is not for ‘sissies.’ Bible study is hard work and is a do-it-yourself activity!

Many will say that they are not smart enough to understand Scripture, but take no initiative to find out how to study Scripture. Those feeling are old holdovers taught to us centuries ago by Church Fathers – that only they were able to read and understand Scripture. You can do-it-yourself.

God has given us His Word to read. Men and women have died to protect the Word. God arranged for hand written scrolls to be found in the caves at Quamran in Israel so that we can know for sure that what we are reading is authentic. The invention of the printing press assures that believes can each have a copy. Yet most of us sitting in pews every week don’t consider studying the words of God important. When we do open the pages it is just casual reading – not study. Call it what it is for most of us “Bible Reading” not “Bible Study.”

At three different churches I have surveyed thirty senior adult women who have been ‘life-long’ Christians, and asked them to fill out a questionnaire that asks: how long have your been a Christian, do you consider yourselves ‘baby’ or ‘mature’ Christians, and, how many times have you read the entire Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. The results are disappointing; most are in their 60-70’s and have been Christians since childhood. The majority still consider themselves “babies” in the faith, and only one or two (of 30) answer that they have read the entire Bible. (My guess is that men will answer the same way.)

Another thing - Bible Study is not….

Bible Study is not reading your ‘daily devotional.’ Spending five minutes a day reading one verse, and then reading comments by someone else is not study. Reading devotionals is just reading what someone else thinks about one or two verses. These devotional studies are wonderful for encouragement and to elicit some introspection about the daily life of the reader, but it is not Bible Study.

I have several daily devotionals that I read: Upper Room, Daily Bread, Billy Graham and Joyce Meyer…but these are not Bible Studies! Read Scripture - do-it-yourself, don’t read someone else’s comments.

But honestly – why bother reading Scripture? Most Christians really don’t. I want to help women study the Scripture, and teach women that they can, and should, do-it-themselves.

My next few blogs will be about “why” study Scripture.

Travel to Study the Bible

2008-04-24T15:23:00.001-07:00

Something to Think About:

Just this week an economic genius on a major news program predicted that if the cost of jet fuel continues to rise, that within a few years, overseas travel by plane will be cost prohibitive for the average person. My grandparents came to this country in 1904 by ship. Trans-global travel by ship may make again become common.

How does this affect you? If you have dreamed about travel to the Holy Land, but for a variety of reasons have postponed it, don’t put it off! If that economic genius is correct, in a few years the average person may not be able to travel to Israel. I usually advise my senior adult friends to make that trip to Israel soon –before their health gives out – now my speech will be different: travel while you can still afford it!!

I will be traveling to Israel in September with a group of 40. I will get the blessing of teaching in the evenings. My theme will be the women from the sites that we will visit. Let me know if you are interested to go along. jpsant@netzero.net

The Prophetess as Leader

2007-09-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

We often forget about the women who were prophetesses when we consider leadership. Prophetesses were gifted by God to speak His message to the people, just as the male prophets. Their mode of operation was very different from that of the firey, active, very vocal male prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, yet they were leaders of the nation. The women prophetess useally worked behind the scenes, not on the "front lines." Examples of prophetesses are Miriam, Deborah, Hulda, the daughters of Philip, and even Anna of Luke 2.

Read Judges 4 and 5. Look for action words that describe the actions of Deborah.

Deborah was a judge and a prophetess. As a judge she led the country in the civil, or governmental issues that came into question. As a prophetess she spoke the word of God to the people. During her time we have no mention of any male judge or prophet. Deborah led the people, men and women.
Without a question Deborah was a leader. Respecting her as a wise woman who heard from God and knew His Law, the people of Israel came to her for guidance. What comes into question is whether she was a military leader or not. Many people call her the first woman Army General. A closer examination of her actions may call this into question. Deborah used her communion with God, her gift of prophecy, to guide Barak, the Army leader. When the word of the Lord came to Deborah, she summoned Barak and directed him to obey God by forming an army against the oppressor. Deborah was a prophetess, not an Army General.
In the book of Hebrews, Barak is mentioned as a champion of faith, not Deborah. Barak needed to have strong faith to believe in the prophetess Deborah. Barak had to stretch his belief that the true, living God could deliver Israel from the onslaught of the enemy, and listen to the word of Deborah. Deborah was a leader as a prophetess, Barak was a leader as the Army General.
Chapter 5 of Judges is a song about the battle. It was common in biblical times to record major events in the form of song that the people could sing, understand and remember. Deborah the prophetess, not the Army General, heard the word of the Lord and was obedient to God's call. She came forward to lead her nation, inspiring others to believe her message from God and follow in faith.

Read one of the prophets such as Amos or Zephaniah (I chose these two because they are very short. As a challenge read Isiah or Jeremiah!!) and compare their lives and actions to that of Deborah, Miriam, Hulda (We will study these last two in detail later.) How was the God-ordained role of the prophetess the same, or different from the role of the male prophet?

If you are interested in studying women of Scripture be sure to see my other blogs www.biblestudy2women.blogspot.com, www.biblestudywomen.blogspot.com. and www.jeannesant.blogspot.com

What Can We Learn From the Queens?

2007-07-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

As a leader, or as a Christian woman in your community, people are watching your example. You have influence – negative or positive. As a child of God you are the daughter of the King. You might not be a "queen," but in many ways you are a Princess. Do you act like it? You have influence, people watch you.
If you are a child of God and walking with Him, then you are exactly where you are “for such a time as this.” God has a plan and purpose for your life planted just where you are.

There is a godly way to handle situations. Esther must have been fearful, yet she was faithful to her God and her people. She took care of the major problem in a dignified, gentle manner. Both Esther and Vashti could have usurped the throne as Athaliah did, yet they stood their ground, acted on what they believed in and, not causing disruption, effectively changed the situation.

As a leader there is a way to handle situations. Evil Queen Athaliah used force and murder, Esther and Vashti did not.

Each of us is a "Queen" in some way in the eyes of God. If whe have a relationship with Him, are walking with Him in obediende, then He has placed us where we are for a reason. Are you a working women? A wife and mother? An active leader, or a behind-the-scenes type of person? If you are walking with God, you are where you should be...for such a time as this. God's role model to us is Esther (and I think even Vashti). We can learn so much by her example.