Friday, June 28, 2013

Anything Study - Week 4 Friday

Read Matthew 18:1-6

SOAP  Matthew 18:3-4

It seems that Jesus wants us to learn some important truths from children.  Children are completely dependent on their parents to provide for them.  This utter dependence is a simple faith on their parts that comes naturally.  In the same way, believers must be utterly dependent on God for salvation and daily needs.  We can connive and manipulate circumstances to work in our favor, but God wants us in a place of total trust in Him.  New believers can also teach this quality to us, as they rely on the Holy Spirit.  I will be observing my children today so that I can learn from them for a change. 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Anything Study - Week 4 Thursday

Read Isaiah 29:13-16

SOAP Isaiah 29:13

Jesus quoted this verse to describe the hypocritical Pharisees in Matthew and Mark.  I think He would probably quote it again to describe many people in the church today.  Israel had gotten into ritualistic acts of worship that were meaningless to them.  How often do we go through the motions, not thinking about what we are doing at church?  We must deny the facade and live worship in our hearts, truly seeking a great relationship with Christ.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Anything Study - Week 4 Wednesday

Read 2 Chronicles 16:7-9

SOAP 2 Chronicles 16:8-9

I love verse 9, which states that God actively seeks to assist those with blameless hearts.  Knowing that God is watching us and enjoys helping us is very encouraging.  When we strive to know His Word and His ways, we can be considered blameless before Him.  As the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, let's respond by doing anything He promts us to do.  He promises His "strong support" for our obedience. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Anythings Study - Week 4 Tuesday

Read I Corinthians 15:12-32

SOAP I Corinthians 15:16-17


Feel free to comment below.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Anything Study - Week 3 Wednesday

Read 2 Peter 3:3-9

SOAP 2 Peter 3:9

Christ will indeed return, keeping His promise to come again and gather His own to Him.  Although we may wonder if He has forgotten, He tarries simply to let more souls come to salvation.  For He is not willing that any should perish.  Let us see life through His eyes, knowing that every day is another opportunity to reach someone else with Christ's love and share the gospel. 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Anything Study - Week 3. Tuesday

Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

SOAP 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Life is so much more than what we experience here.  It's difficult to see past our own pain into the purpose God has for that pain.  Spiritual maturity allows the believer to step back and say, "What is God trying to teach me through this?"  I am asking God to help me see this present life as fleeting, knowing that the momentary affliction will one day end in glory.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Anything Study - Week 3. Monday

Read Luke 1:26-38

SOAP  Luke 1:37-38

Gabriel's explanation was enough for Mary. Mary quickly accepted this mission to be the mother of God's Son. May I be this willing to accept God's mission for my life too.  As the book is teaching us, God can do anything with a life that is willing to give up anything. I pray that I will be pliable enough for God to do a wonderful work through me.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Anything Study - Week 2 Friday

Read Proverbs 21

Soap Proverbs 21:1

In context, I think this passage refers more to blessing acts of righteousness than God controlling leaders.  God's sovereignty allows Him to use even the sinful acts of man to accomplish his purposes.     I often become fearful when I think of our nation's leaders. But knowing that God is using even their wrong decisions to fulfill His plan is a real comfort.  The rest of Proverbs 21 includes several nuggets of truth, offering the best advice to leaders. I like verse 21, "whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor."

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Anything Study - Week 2 Thursday

Read Hosea 2:14-17

SOAP Hosea 2:14

God's forgiveness and mercy is always available when we come to him in repentance.  Yes, the warnings are serious and and the consequence of sin is severe.  But His mercy is readily available for us when we return to Him.  I'm so relieved that God is quick to respond in mercy.  I unfortunately do not always extend forgiveness so quickly to others.  This verse is a good lesson for mothers, teaching us to speak kindly to our children when they need mercy.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Anything Study - Week 2 Wednesday

Read Hosea 1:2-11

SOAP Hosea 1:7

God was jealous for Israel because she had forsaken Him for false gods.  Hosea's life would become a mirror of God's feelings for Israel.  God loves us the very same way in that He will not settle for a divided love.  He doesn't want to be one of many loves; He wants to be our one and only.  Infidelity breaks His heart and drives Him to call us back to the relationship we were designed to have with him.  Father, help me understand how exclusive my love must be for you and prevent any encroachment. 

Again, here's the book cover of an excellent novel rendition of Hosea.  Please read it one day.  You will be blessed!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Anything Study - Week 2 Tuesday

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9

SOAP Deuteronomy 6:5

Verse 5, in context of the passage refers to letting Christ pervade every aspect of life.  Loving the Lord your God completely looks like this: talking about His Word at all times and even keeping it visible in your home.  I am so thankful for the spiritual conversations my parents constantly had with me or in front of me.  Our christianity was not limited to church services.  I never had suspicions that my parents were hypocrites because Christ controlled their lives.  I hope I can repeat history!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Anything Study - Week 2 Monday

Read Psalm 118

SOAP Psalm 118:6

Fear seems almost absurd when I think about God fighting for me.  When we release our battles to him, we don't have to do the fighting.  It also ocurred to me that His Word is full of promises.  Promises that replace fear.  I should spend more time familiarizing myself with these promises.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Anything Study - Week 1 Friday

Read Romans 3:21-31

SOAP Romans 3:23

This passage is special to me since our latest kids musical was about the Romans Road.  This week's SOAP scriptures all coincide in the truth that salvation is not achieved by us.  No one can ever be good enough or keep all the rules enough to earn it.  Our best efforts just simply "fall short" of God's perfect holiness.  But the hopeful part of this passage is that there is no discrimination between different people; all can receive salvation.  I can't boast in myself or my works because it still isn't enough to earn salvation.  The sinner who has continuously lived in depravity cannot despair because salvation is still offered to him, despite the gross sin he may have committed.  We are all equal when it comes to receiving salvation.  Praise God!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Anything Study - Week 1 Thursday

Read Galatians 5:1-6

SOAP Galatians 5:1

Keeping the Mosaic law certainly was a yoke of slavery.  There were so many rules and procedures, as well as the additional laws the Jews included themselves.  But salvation is all about the work of Christ, not man's.  I'm so relieved, because I could never keep up with all the rules.  I constantly make mistakes, so I'm glad that salvation does not depend on me.  Sinners can never achieve righteousness on their own - only through the finished work of Christ on the cross.  Let's believe this in our hearts and live in victory that following Christ is not about keeping a set of rules.  It's about completely trusting the only one who is perfectly holy - Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Anything Study - Week 1 Wednesday

Read Mark 2:13-17

SOAP Mark 2:17

Jesus was defined by intentionality.  Everything he did had a purpose - things like eating with tax collectors and their friends.  Jesus did this specifically to reach Matthew (Levi) and his friends.  I wonder if Jesus went into these social situations planning exactly what to say to spark a spiritual conversation.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me with words to speak to unsaved people.  I am also asking for courage to start spiritual conversations so that I can reach these people with the gospel. 

Ladies, I'm so excited about this new study!  I am making a few more manuals today for ladies who need them.  (It makes it so much easier to do this study when you have the whole study guide printed and ready to go.)  Please don't hesitate to ask if you want me to make you a manual that includes: 1) the study guide  2) reading plan  3) prayer journal.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Anything Study - Week 1 Tuesday

Read I John 1:5-10 

SOAP I John 1:8

Walking in the light versus walking in the darkness.  We all need Christ and His saving grace.  As I sat talking to an unwed mother yesterday, it hit me clearly - I need God's grace just as much as she does.  If I say I have no sin, I deceive myself.  Trite as it may be, the ground certainly is level at the foot of the cross.  When we start seeing people through Jesus' eyes, we will see our own needs more clearly.  By God's grace, he has saved me from destruction.  I must pass this love and redemption along to someone else who desperately needs it.

Monday, June 3, 2013

NEW Bible Study - Starts Today!

Ladies, even though the enrollment is over, I am happy to print out any of these materials if you are interested in participating in this study.  I can print the study guide and prayer journal out at church very easily.  Let me know via email, text or blog message if you want to participate in this with me and Susie.  We will take the confusion out of everything and set up an easy manual for you.  Hope you join us!

This is the first study that recommends a corresponding book purchase for Anything by Jennie Allen.  You can download it as an eBook and save it to your computer or you can download it to a reading device - Kindle, Nook, iPad.