BIBLE STUDY INTRODUCTION (8/27/13)

Bible study:   "Changing the Seen & Shaping the Unseen" (By Charles Capps)

 

Introduction:

 

These are the subjects we will study in this book.

 

 

1    Looking At the Unseen (Chapter 1)

2    Faith Is Unseen (Chapter 2)

3    Changing the Seen (Chapter 3)

4    Shut Your Mouth (Chapter 4)

5    A Time to Speak, A Time to Be Silent (Chapter 5)

6    Righteousness Speaks (Chapter 6)

 

 

We will look at each chapter. This study will last for six weeks, each chapter a week as before.  There will be questions at the end of each chapter.  We will explore faith, and speaking positive words in our lives.  It will teach us that wrong speaking, wrong believing, and wrong praying will destroy our faith. It's by faith that we walk this Christian life.  And it will teach us that there are two realms in this world.  I read this book about fifteen years ago, but didn't study it. Now I want to explore it with the help of the Holy Spirit's teaching. Reading and studying is two different things.   Let's study on how we can change our situation by having faith in God's Word.

 

 

PRAYER:

 

Father God, we thank you that you give us understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. Bless us as we study your Word with knowledge to understand what we study, and wisdom to use what we learn in Jesus' name.  Enlighten us on this subject.  Bless us to use our knowledge we get to bring glory and honor to you, and only you. Thank you, and in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK V (8/13/13)

 

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH

(By Beth Moore)  "A Taste of Believing God"

This is Chapter V

 

 

God's Word is alive and active in me.

 

 

This study is to help develop an active-verb faith that invites the exhilaration of holy participation.  An ongoing relationship with God through His Word is essential to the Christian's consistent victory!  Great statement.  Making the study of God's Word a priority is undoubtedly the best place to start. I agree with that!  Beloved, we can't presently and actively believe God in our day-to-day challenges if we are not presently and actively in His Word.  Romans 10:17 offers the most obvious link: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (KJV). God's direction for our lives will escape us without the Word of God as "a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path" (Psalm 119:105). Here is another good point! Ignoring God's Word is in excusable if we honestly seek to live for Him. Amen.

 

I do love the scripture (Hebrews 4:12) "for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. "  

 

I love the KJV, but let's look at the AMP version too " For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. God's Word is powerful!

 

Unlike any other text, the Word of God has supernatural effects for those who receive it by faith.  When we receive it by reading it, meditating on it, believing it, and applying it, the life of the Word becomes lively in us. The power of God's Word becomes powerful in us. The operations of the Word become operative in us. The energy of the Word becomes energizing in us. The effectiveness of the Word becomes effective in us. In fact, according to Hebrews 4:12, when we receive God's Word, it invades every part of our being, even the marrow of our bones and the motives of our hearts.  That's powerful! 

 

I know my spirit is in love with God's Word, because I sense the joy of gladness when I read it. I am overwhelmed with a peace in my whole being. There is a joy in reading His Word; there is peace, healing, uplifting, and a sense of directions in your life, because God's Word possesses accomplishing power and achieving power. Beth talks about her place to be with God on her back porch; mine is while I am alone driving down a highway looking at God's creation, it is so peaceful for me. Sometimes, I sense such a peaceful moment I just cry because I feel His embrace.

 

I want to add this before I end this chapter; God says His Word is alive and powerful, and I believe Him.  We started out hearing Beth say God told her to believe Him, not just believe in Him.  He also says His Word is alive and powerful when it's in us. (Me); a bundle of faults, fears, and insecurities. Just think! My weakness is not strong enough to wound God's Word. Neither is yours.  God does His job. He speaks to accomplish.  We don't have to make Him. We just need to let Him.  AMEN!

 

Question: 

 

1.   What have you experienced in reading this book?

2.   What happen when you read the Word of God?

3.   Can you give a summary of this study?

 

 

Thanks Beth Moore for this awesome powerful little book.  I pray that God will continue to bless you with the ability, insight, knowledge, and whatever you need to write more in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Thanks to all who studied with me, even though we didn't get to chat. This study has been an inspirational to my spirit. I was not studying as I should, or as I like, but it has given me a desire to continue my Bible study, even though none go with me.

 

My next study is another little powerful book, very old, but powerful "Changing the Seen and shaping the Unseen" by Charles Capps.  It has six chapters and sixty-six pages.  I've read it, but would like to study it more.

 

 

Faith Will Reveal:

From Chosendia's Desk:

Abraham faith revealed that he was the father of many nations. (Genesis 17:5)

“⁵ Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.” 

When you get time read that entire chapter. I travel and live-in with the elderly as they need me. I don’t work for any elderly care company, because I trust God to always provide for me, and open doors for me. God always provide me with a family in need of my assistance.  Sometime I have more than I need, and it’s not encouraging for me to turn them down, so I prayed for God to send me a family that needed me the most. When I first started this job I didn’t want to do it because it took all my time.  I felt so robbed at that time, but then God filled my heart with His Spirit, and my heart open to the elderly.  There were times when I was doubt and thought I needed in between company to keep me employed, but God revealed His faithfulness to keep me with jobs by send me more than enough.  Sure, I get in doubt, BUT GOD!!  One day I heard in my spirit the Holy Spirit saying, “Do you trust God?”  I didn’t understand at the moment, but things kept happen that drew my attention to the Holy Spirit’s words. I received it and decided in my heart I was going to trust God for all my assignments.  I decided to trust God!  Yes, doubt will try to creep in, but God has always been faithful, and He has revealed to me that it is a ministry to the elderly people.  They need God’s companion. It’s not easy, but I can do all things through Christ who strength me. When a patient passes on, then my faith goes to work again.  It’s not just my faith God has blessed, but He also blesses that family too.  This is important; the enemy always brings doubt in your mind, but let the heart be the judge. God deal with the heart.  I share my prayer request with my prayer warriors, and they pray with me too.  It’s our prayers together that bring me to the door, but my faith that unlocks the door. 

Abraham had to trust God in his situation concerning his age and the deadness of his wife Sarah’s womb.  God spoke the Word, and Abraham believed God. Let’s look at (Hebrews 11:8, 17-19) together.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

“¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

¹⁸ Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

¹⁹ Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Abraham’s faith was blessed!  The story of Abraham is told in chapters 11:26-25:18 of Genesis. It is essentially the history of the establishment of the covenant between Abraham and God, who called him to leave his land, family and household in Mesopotamia in return for a new land, family and inheritance in Canaan, the promised land – threats to the covenant arose (difficulties in producing an heir, the threat of bondage in Egypt, of lack of fear of God) – but all were overcome and the covenant was established  After the death, and burial of his wife Sarah, in the grave that he purchased in Hebron, Abraham arranged for the marriage of Isaac to a wife from his own people, Abraham later married a woman called  Keturah and had six more sons.  This was after he was hundred years old.  Faith is the key that unlock the door.

My faith always reveal my next assignment. I always want to believe God, not just believe in Him, but believe Him, believe His Word, believe His Holy Spirit. My jobs doesn’t last that long sometimes, and sometimes it does.  My faith in God I pray will last the rest of my life. I trust God with everything that concern me, because His Word says in (Psalm 138:8) “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth  forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”

 This devotion came to me because I am concerned about my patient I am with now.  I begin to pray about it and I have received in my spirit to start praying for God to reveal His plan for me now.  Faith always reveal God’s plan in your life.

(Genesis 21:1-5)

“And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

² For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

³ And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

⁴ And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

⁵ And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.”

Prayer:

Father God, bless our faith bless in You as we stand on Your Word. Reveal the plan You have us in Jesus’ name.  We thank You for increasing our faith as we trust You in Your faithfulness. Bless each person as they read this devotion. Bless their faith in You to grow continuously.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

BIBLE STUDY WEEK IV (8/6/13)

 

A STUDY ON EXPERIENCE OF A FRESH EXPLOSION OF FAITH

(By Beth Moore)  "A Taste of Believing God"

This is Chapter IV

 

 

 

I can do all things through Christ:

 

 

Philippians 4:13: (NKJV)

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

 

 

AUTHORITY IN CHRIST CONFESSION:

 

 

I recognize and believe that there is only one true and living God who exists as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I recognize that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. I believe that He came to destroy the works of the devil and that He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them having triumphed over them.

I have been created in the image and likeness of God. I have been given dominion over all the earth and over every living thing. I will be and do all that God has destined for me because I am His handiwork created in Christ Jesus for good works.

I have been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son therefore; Satan has no power over me.

God has redeemed me from the control of darkness and He has seated me in heavenly places with Christ, far above all rule, and authority and dominion. In obedience, I will take up my authority, speak God's Word, and rest in the power of His Word.

For I will present my body as a living sacrifice to God – holy, devoted, and consecrated to please Him, which is a part of my spiritual worship to Him. I will not be conformed to this world's way of thinking, but I will continually be transformed by the renewing of my mind. For I have the mind of Christ.

I have been made to be a kingdom and priest to serve my God and to reign and rule on the earth.

Therefore, I will rise up in the authority of who I am in Christ Jesus and I will exercise that authority in my sphere of influence. I also take authority over every demonic assignment against my life. I push back the enemy in the name of Jesus. For the word says if I resist the devil he will flee from me.

I am a child of the Most High God and I declare that because of God's unlimited resources, I will be empowered with inner strength through his Spirit; Christ will make his home in my heart as I trust in him; and my roots will go down deep into God's love and keep me strong.

 

"For I declare that His mighty power is at work within me, to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. So, I choose to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. I put no confidence in the flesh, for the weapons of my warfare are not carnal or of my flesh, but divinely powerful to the pulling down of strongholds."

 

 

In this chapter Beth talks about three of my favorite guys, Joshua, Abraham, and David.  These guys made the Hebrew 11 hall of faith.   Quoting her now, "I was surprised and somehow refreshed to think that a measure of their challenge to walk by faith was likely found in continuing to believe what God said about them in spite of fears and failures."  Can we say that about our lives today?   Isn't it encouraging to realize we're not alone in our struggles?  This is one of the reasons I wanted to do a study on this book, because of my struggle now. I realize I am not alone, and desire to connect with others who feel this pain too, so we can encourage one another in God's Word.   Joshua's life helps us understand and accept our fourth statement of faith:  I can do all things through Christ.  Through the might of the living God, Joshua did what he knew he could not do.  Like us, he was told in advance he'd be able.  We might call it preassurance rather than reassurance.  

 

Let's look with Beth on this preassurance in Joshua 1:1-9:

 

  "1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.

 

⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

I shared this one because I just love Joshua's life as a strong person, but then if it were not for God, he couldn't have done what he did, amen.  We need God to help us do all things in our lives too, so we can be like Joshua, not super-man, but a strong person in the Lord.  And, we must remember what the Word said,

Zechariah 4:6  (KJV)

^"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.  Yes, it is by the Spirit of God; Joshua couldn't do it by himself, but through God."

On page 46, Jesus told His disciples not to be afraid in the storm, the reason wasn't the removal of their frightful circumstances but the presence of their Savior.  "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).  I enjoyed this to, "Remember, faith is never the denial of reality but it a belief in a greater reality.  In other words, the truth may be that terrifying or terribly discouraging circumstances surround you.  The reason you don't have to buckle to fear and discouragement is the presence of God in the middle of your circumstances.  Great!  Call upon Him to step His One and Only shoes onto your territory and take over like the commander of the Lord's army (Joshua 5:15).  Hear Him say to you the words He said to Joshua: "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." That place, that circumstance, is holy because God stand on it with you. You don't have to fill His shoes, Dear One.  Take off your sandals and walk barefoot in His wake.

Beloved, whether or not you want to admit it, God gifted you out of His glorious grace and for His name's sake.  Christ has spoken over your life as His present-day disciple: "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8).  Perhaps, like me, you have grievously failed God in the past. Perhaps, like me, your prior confidence was unknowingly in your own ability and determination to stay on track."  I typed that because I do get off track sometimes, I feel so many time I have fail God. Isn't it strange that we all feel that way! I agree.  Beth said, "we don't have to sin grievously to feel that we've failed. So true my friends. We don't have to sin grievously to feel like we've failed. Sometimes all it takes is feeling like we've proved ineffective and untalented too many times to try again. I have been encouraged to hold on to God's unchanging hand, because I can do all things through Christ Jesus my Lord as I have faith in Him, and in His Word. This week I have listen to the DVD of the whole Bible, and it has blessed my spirit so much. God's Word help me to accomplish God's plans for my life as Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

 

Questions:

1.      How can you be mighty in your generation?

2.      Why do we so often balk at the task?

3.      How can we overcome the feeling of failing God?