I AM HERE

 

BIBLE STUDY:

 

Bible Study: “Understanding the books of the Bible”

Lesson # 1

 

Our Scripture Reading: (Psalm 119:89, Matthew 5:18; 24:35, I Peter 1:25;1:21;2:2, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12.)

           

There are 39 books in the Old Testament, generally separated into 4 divisions:

 

The Pentateuch, traditionally designed as the 5 books of Moses

Historical Books, 12 books from Joshua to Esther

Poetical Books, 5 books from Job to Song of Solomon

Prophetical Books, including the writings of the 5 Major Prophets from Isaiah to Daniel, and the 12 Minor Prophets from Hosea to Malachi.

 

Main Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:3

 

This lesson will consist of “The Pentateuch, traditionally designed as the 5 books of Moses:”  

 

Books of the Bible:  Genesis:” The book of origins/beginning”

 

Author: (Moses) common accepted

Time:  Genesis begins with the creation story and ends with the death of Joseph, which probably occurred around the nineteenth century B.C. (1883 BC)

Structure: The literary structure of Genesis is built around eleven distinct units, each signaled by the presence of the word “genealogy.”  The eleven sections include: Introduction to the genealogies (1:1-2:3); (2) Heaven and Earth (2:4-4:26); (3) Adam (5:1-6:8); (4) Noah (6:9-9:29); (5) Sons of Noah (10:1-11:9); (6) Shem (11:10-26); (7) Terah (11:27-25:11); (8) Ishmael (25:12-18); (9) Isaac (25:19-35:29); (10) Esau (36:1-37:1 (11) Jacob (37:2-50:26).

In this book, there were God, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, etc.

Chapters: (50)

Memory verse in the book:  Genesis 3:15 “First messianic promise”

Abbreviation of the book: (Gen.)

Life Principles in the book: (Our Intimacy with God-His highest priority for our lives determines the impact of our lives, (Genesis 1:26).

Key Thought: God is the origin of all things-the universe, the earth, life, humanity, the Jewish people, and the plan of redemption.

Key Verse: “Genesis 50:20-21 King James Version

²⁰ But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. ²¹ Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Key Action: Remember that no matter what life brings or how evil intrudes, our Creator has a plan, His sovereignty can not be thwarted, and His plans is right on schedule.

Key Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that You are in control of my life, from beginning to the end, AMEN.

 

Book of the Bible:   Exodus: “Exit, Departure, or Going Out”

Author: (Moses) common accepted

Time: The book of Exodus covers a period from the birth of Moses (1525 B.C.) to the construction of the tabernacle (1446 B.C.) More scholars date the exodus from Egypt (1447 B.C.).

Structure: The book of Exodus begins with an account of Egyptian oppression (1:7-22), then moves to the early years of Moses’ life (2:1-21), followed by Moses’ calling and his demand to Pharaoh to release his people from captivity (3:1-12:30), then describes the exodus from Egypt and Israelites’ journey to Mount Sinai (12:3-18:27). The remainder of the book covers the giving of the Law and the establishment of Hebrew culture.

In this book, there were Leaders and Prophets!

Chapters: (40)

Memory verse in the book: Exodus 12:13 “Life Insurance”
Abbreviation of the book: (Ex.)

Life Principles in the book: Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him, (Exodus 19:5).

Key Thought: God provides the redemption, provision, and guidance of His people need.

Key Verse: Exodus 14:13 King James Version

¹³ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.

Key Action: We must be still in God’s presence, then go forward in God’s power (see Exodus 14:13,15).

Key Prayer: Lord, help me to stand firm and see Your deliverance, for I know You will fight for me; I only need to be still. AMEN.

 

Book of the Bible:  Leviticus: “The book of Law”

Author: (Moses) common accepted

Time: God delivered the Book of Leviticus to Moses on Mount Sinai shortly after the exodus from Egypt, (1447 B.C.)

Structure: Leviticus opens with the laws surrounding sacrifices and offerings (1-7), followed but the lawful duties and requirements of the priests (8-10), then by laws regarding personal and national cleanliness and holiness (11-22), followed by laws regarding feasts (23). The laws of the final four chapters of Leviticus include God’s promises for keeping the Law and His warnings for violating it.  The name derived from the tribe of Levi.

In this book, there were Leaders and Prophets!

Chapters: (27).

Memory verse in the book: Leviticus 24:10 “The year of Jubilee”

Abbreviation of the book: (Lev.)

Life Principles in the book: Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God (Lev. 26:12)

Key Thought: God expect His people to reflect His holiness not just in rituals, but in reality.

Key Verse: Leviticus 11:44 King James Version

⁴⁴ For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Key Action: Whenever sin occurs in life, we should confess it promptly, consecrate ourselves anew, and remain committed to personal holiness.

Key Prayer: Dear Father may I be a reflection of Your holiness, not just in thought, but in deeds. AMEN.

 

Book of the Bible:  Numbers: “Book of Numbers”

 

Author: (Moses) common accepted

Time: The events recorded in the book of Numbers began about one year after the exodus from Egypt (1446 B.C.)

Structure: The first ten chapters of Numbers contain legal instructions and record a census (or “numbering”) of the people of Israel.  The remainder of the book records the Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness, as well as their complaints and rebellion against God and their leader Moses.

In this book, there were Leaders and Prophets!

Chapters (36)

Memory verse in the book: “The pilgrims guide” (Numbers 9:17)

Abbreviation of the book: (Num.)

Life Principles in the book:  God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm (Numbers 23:19)

Key Thought: The is nothing worse than taking a wrong turn into the land of unbelief, for God wants to lead us forward by faith.

Key Verse: Numbers 6:24-26 King James Version

^“24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: ²⁵ The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: ²⁶ The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

Key Action: Trust God’s Word even when challenges loom, for His promises are as secure as His power.

Key Prayer: O Lord, keep me from fearing the way ahead and rebelling against You in unbelief.

 

Book of the Bible:  Deuteronomy: “Book of Remembrance”

 

Author: (Moses) common accepted

Time: Delivered shortly before Moses’ death, sometime around (1407 B.C.)

Structure: Deuteronomy breaks down into four sections, starting with Moses’ review of the Israelite’ history (1:1-4:43); moving through a review of the Law (4:44-26:19) and the covenant (27:1-30:20); and ending with Moses’ final words for the Israelites as he prepares to leave them (31-34).

In this book, there were a Leader!

Chapters: (34)

Memory verse in the book: Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret things”

Abbreviation of the book: (Deut.)

Life Principles in the book: The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work (Deuteronomy 20:1).

Key Thought: Every new generation need to learn the lessons of the Lord and develop a heritage of faith and obedience.

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4-5 King James Version

^“4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: ⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Key Action: Share the truth of God with your children, with your grandchildren, and with the generation to come (see Deuteronomy 6:7).

Key Prayer: Lord You are my eternal God and my refuge, and underneath me are the everlasting arms, AMEN.

 

LESSON QUESTIONS: (1)

1). Read main scripture for lesson one.

2). Name the books in lesson one.

3). How many chapters are in each book?

4). Name the author of each book in lesson one.

5). Give the abbreviation of each book?

6). In these books was there a leader, a judge, a prophet, or a king?

7). Name and add each book as we go through our study.

8). Name the division where these books can be found in this lesson.

9).  Who was the main person in each book?

10). What year was each book written?

11). What is the memory verse in each book?

12). What is the key verse in each book?

BIBLE STUDY COMING SOON

Always In His care,

Claudia

Love you

Bible Study: Week 9

 

Beginning Prayer:

 

Father God its an honor to come to You. I give you praise, glory.  Honor is all Yours forever. I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving and into Your courts with praise to You this day and forever more. Your Majesty is Who You are! I will lift up mine eyes to You, our help comes from You always.  Lord, You are worthy to be praise. I praise You because You are worthy. I worship You with all my heart, mind, and soul. Bless You with all my heart, bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, bless Your holy Name, and I want forget none of Your benefits. Your are worthy to be praise, You are worthy of all the glory. You are worthy of all the honor. Father God bless this years’ election for the sake of all who need help in this life. We look to You for help in every area of our life in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

 

Let’ s start with some key points:

 

KEY POINTS – The Biblical Path to a Powerful Prayer Life

 

1). If you are serious about learning to pray, you will soon experience the most incredible journey of your life!  Use this simple prayer pattern to begin your powerful biblical prayer journey.

2). In your intercession, seek to be as specific as possible. Focus on only two or three categories per day.

3).  Daily Bible reading is essential to your prayer life.

4). I suggest you do your Bible reading and journaling before you conduct your main prayer time.

5). I highly recommend that you follow one of today’s excellent schedules for reading through the entire Bible at least once a year.

6). Though an hour is an excellent goal, I am not implying that you must pray a whole hour in order to experience a powerful prayer life.   The guiding principle is close sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

 

SUBJECT:         A Practical Daily Prayer Guide

 

In this final chapter I will outline a practical pattern for daily prayer.  However, please understand this pattern is not some legalistic formula.  Above all, your prayer time is a relationship and relationships fluctuate from day to day. 

A SIMPLE PATTERN FOR DAILY PRAYER

 

I   Begin with a period of praise and thanksgiving (5-10 minutes)

A.   Give thanks for past, present, and future blessings.

B.    Praise God for who He is (His characteristics and names).

C.    Freely worship and adore Him.

 

II    Continue with confession and repentance (at least 5-10 minutes)

1.      Ask God to search your thoughts and attitudes.

2.     Carefully examine your speech.

3.     Ask God to thoroughly search your relationships.

4.    Confess any sins of commission and be sure to forsake the sins God reveals.

5.     Confess any sins of omission and make a definite commitment to obedience.

 

Resolve to fully repent of any known sin of thought, word or deed. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Be sure to utilize a thorough biblical tool designed to search all areas of your life with God’s Word.

III    Follow with Prayers of Personal Petition (10-15 minutes)

1.      Pray for the development of character and holiness (Pray through the specific fruit of the Holy Spirit or other character words).

2.     Pray for your ministry and service to God (be very specific in your prayers).

3.     Pray for physical, emotional spiritual or financial needs.

 

IV     Continue with Prayers of Intercession (10-20 minutes)

1.      Pray for needs of family and friends.

2.     Pray for your pastor and church (use specific prayers such as found on pages 84 and following).

3.     Pray for specific lost people (use specific prayers such as found on page 83).

4.    Pray for missionaries and mission efforts (use guides from the International Mission Board).

5.     Pray for revival and spiritual awakening (use guides on page 84)

 

In your intercession, seek to be as specific as possible. Also remember the value of focusing on only two or three categories per day. If you thoroughly prayed for every category, you could literally pray for hours. Though some may be led to pray for hours, most people will be led to focus on certain categories on certain days.  As always, the guiding principle is close sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

V     End with Meditation and Assessment.

1.      Reflect on key points of your Scripture reading and prayer time.

2.     Assess what God has impressed to your heart.

3.     Write down key impressions in a daily journal.

4.    End your time with thanksgiving for God’s presence

 

Prayer time is a relationship and relationships fluctuate from day to day.

§  The daily prayer pattern that I have outlined is not some legalistic formula.

§  By no means are your required to always follow the exact order of this or any other pattern.

§  Some days God may lead you to begin with confession and cleansing and actually end with praise and thanksgiving. 

§  At other times, God will lead you to spend far more time in intercession for others.

§  On still other occasions, you may begin with quiet meditation and listening.

§  As you are sensitive to God’s Spirit, He will guide you in a variety of patterns.

 

Friend, if you are serious about learning to pray, you will soon experience the most incredible journey of your life!  Let us confidently claim God’s glorious promise of Jeremiah 29:13. “And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.” 

 

I encourage you to become a “doer” and not a “hearer” only. Start tomorrow on your incredible journey using the following simple pattern for prayer.  As I have stated throughout the book and this prayer guide, it is important that you practice the biblical principles of prayer that you have just studied about.

 

Let me say a brief word about practice.  We have heard for years the old saying that “practice makes perfect,” but we know it is not just any type of practice that guides one to develop skills correctly, but it is “perfect practice.”  What I am saying is that for these principles to become an intricate part of your daily prayer life, you must spend significant time to learn them and apply them in your daily prayers.  You will continue to pray on the same level you are now unless you commit to learning and developing a deeper, biblical pattern for prayer. Remember, your intent is to spend time in His presence so He can reveal more of His character to you and, you in turn can become more like Him. So don’t put it off another day.  Do not be overwhelmed by the potential depth of your prayer life.  God will get you there one step at a time and at your own pace.  But in order to learn these principles more rapidly, I ask you to use the following steps. In the book and study guide, under the five prayer types, I list certain categories for prayer. I ask you to now establish a daily plan dividing the subjects from those categories into a seven-day plan.  By dividing the categories in each prayer type into seven parts and praying through only one or two categories per day you will be able to pray through them all in one week.  This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the total categories you need to pray through.  Remember, this is merely an example to help you learn the biblical principles of prayer.  It is not some pre-set formula that you must mechanically follow each day.  At times God will give you unique promptings.  Remember, God is to be in control and we must let Him guide our prayer time.  As you read through the following pattern for prayer, be conscious of what materials you will need for your daily prayer time. (your Bible, a prayer journal, lists of God’s names and characteristics, hymns, lists of people and situations which need prayer) List any other materials you will need here.

 

MAY GOD HELP US SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS THAN A POWERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

Ending Prayers:

 

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

Week # 9                 QUESTIONS:

 

1). Have you been praying through this study?

 

2). Is there a change in your prayer life now?

 

3). Do you spend quality time with God now?

 

4). Are you praying for others more now?

 

5). Name each study lessons in this study guide.

 

6). Explain each study lesson in this study guide.

 

7). Explain the praise and thanksgiving time to spend with God.

 

8). What steps are after the praise and thanksgiving time to spend with God.

 

9). Explain the prayers of personal petition.

 

10). In this lesson what are the prayers of intercession?

 

11). What do we end with in this study guide?

 

12).  Read Jeremiah 29:13.

 

Write down where you will meet with God each day and at what time you will pray.  Allow at least an hour for this first time, if possible.

Where?  When?

 

HALLELUJAH

Always In His care,

Claudia

Love you

Bible Study:     How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life Study Guide (By Dr. Gregory Frizzell)      

Week # 8

 

Beginning Prayer:

 

Lord God Almighty, touch our ears so that we may hear Your voice Anoint our eyes that we may see Your ways.  Quicken our minds that every thought is captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Touch our spirit daily with the revelation of Your Word. Protect us O Lord from evil devices. Keep us covered under Jesus’ blood day and night.  AMEN

 

Let’ s start with some key points:

 

KEY POINTS – The Biblical Path to a Powerful Prayer Life

 

1).  Meditation is the intentional act of listening to God.

2).  Tragically, many people approach Bible reading and prayer without expecting to hear a personal word from God. We must expect to hear from Him.

3).  The more we know and meditate on God’s Word the easier we will recognize His voice when He speaks.

4).  When you fill your life with Scripture, God revolutionizes your prayer life and your walk with Him.

5).  Do not let any of this seem overwhelming or complicated.  Even if you are weak in prayer, God will take you right where you are and do a mighty work in your life.

 

 

Subject:   Phase Five:  Hearing God’s Voice through Meditation

Meditation is a form of prayer because it is communication with God through prayerful listening.  In meditation you are quietly listening for God’s voice through His Word and the impressions He speaks to your heart.  It is essential to remember that genuine prayer is a relationship and not just a habit or ritual.  A genuine relationship requires both talking and listening.

 

There can be no real relationship unless it is two way. After all, how would you feel if your spouse talked all the time and never gave you a chance to speak?  That would make for an extremely poor marriage and it also make s for a poor relationship with God!  Meditation is that time when we specifically listen for God to speak to our heart.  The more we know and meditate on God’s Word the easier we will recognize His voice when He speaks.   

 

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR DAILY MEDITATION

 

1. In your daily Bible reading ask God to speak to your heart.

You must approach the Bible as God’s personal word to you on each new day.  After reading a few verses you should pause and simply ask, “God, what are you saying to me?”  In this way, prayer and Bible reading become powerfully inter-connected.

 

2.  When you have completed your daily time of Bible reading and prayer, write down key ideas and impressions.

 

Keep a journal or notebook of your daily time with God. A thorough personal journal is literally a written record of your relationship with God. Another great advantage of journaling is that you form the habit of writing down the specific promises God reveals to your heart.

When actual recording God’s promises you are much more likely to take them seriously. Writing down key thoughts and impressions helps you to get into a serious habit of listening for God’s voice.

 

3. Fill your life with the Word of God.

The more we are exposed to God’s Word, the more He speaks to us and transforms our life.  Surrounding yourself with God’s Word is one variation of meditation. Psalm 1:2 states, “In His law doth he meditate day and night.”

 

4.  When you pray, be sensitive to God’s specific impressions through which He leads you to focus on various issues of concern.

Remember, your prayer time is not some preset formula that you mechanically follow each day.  Some days God will lead you to spend much time in praise and little in confession. On other days, he may greatly burden you to intercede for specific people while focusing little on petition. 

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

 

Today we are blessed with some innovative ways to be filled with God’s Word.  Some examples are:

 

Playing tapes of Scripture reading while you drive.

Playing music that is primarily made up of songs with Scripture lyrics.

Participating in one of today’s Scripture memorization programs

Placing framed Scriptures in strategic parts of your home or office.

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shall bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the post of thy house, and on thy gates.”

Make a cognitive decision to choose one or more of these innovative ways to be filled with God’s Word.  Write down which ones you have decided to incorporate into your life.

 

Please turn to page 95, look up the scriptures, answer the study questions and pray the prayers for daily growth on page 96.

A BRIEF WORD ABOUT FASTING:

 

Spirit-led fasting is one of the most neglected spiritual disciplines of our day. Perhaps this is a telling symptom of the “general lukewarmness” that characterizes much of American Christianity. Many today are in bondage to the flesh and are heavily influenced by fleshly appetites and desires.  For this reason, to many the idea of foregoing meals to pray and seek God seems very strange indeed.  Brethren, this is a strong indication of just how desperately we need revival. The Bible clearly assumes that God’s people will fast in their devotion to the Lord. The Scriptures leave little doubt that God expects Spirit-led fasting to be a definite part of our relationship with Him. The examples are numerous, but two have special relevance: 

Joel 2:12-13 – “Now, therefore says the Lord, Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, and weeping, and with mourning.  So rend your hear, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.”

And in Matthew 6:16-18 – “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance.  For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting.  Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Prayerfully consider how God may lead you in this area.  An appropriate question to ask is: “How much are you really hungering for God Himself?”  Pause now to ask God to enable you to fast by the leading of the Holy Spirit with the purpose of turning aside from other things in order to more fully focus on Him.  Ask Him to show you the type of fast He desires for you. There are many different types of fasting.  Some examples are:

A complete fast for short periods

Water-only fasts

Juice fasts

Fasting from certain types of food

Fasting from certain activities or recreation.  (Some of the most powerful fasting can be giving up favorite activities to spend intense time alone with God.)

 

Ending Prayers:

Lord God Almighty, grant us a burning desire to daily hear Your voice by the revelation of the Word and prompting of the Holy Spirit. We pray always to You, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Week# 8  Questions:

1). How biblical is your prayer life if you do all the talking?

2). Why does a healthy relationship with Christ require both talking and listening?

3). Describe four primary ways to hear God’s voice through daily meditation?

4). What has God spoken to you about fasting?

5). In your own words, what are the two special examples with relevance for fasting?

6). Meditation is a form of what?

7). After reading you should pause and ask God what question?

8). Today when you completed your daily reading time what did you write down in your journal?

9). The more we expose ourselves to God’s Word what happens? Explain.

10). Name some innovative ways to be filled with God’s Word.

11). Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9

12). Read Romans 8:26

13). Read Joel 2:12-13

14). What have you learned in this lesson?