December 30, 2011

God Will Fight Our Battles For Us

From YouVersion Reading Plan: Life Application Study Bible ® Devotion

2 Chronicles 20:15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

We may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, and Satan, who wants us to rebel against God. Remember, as believers, we have God's Spirit in us. If we ask for God's help when we face struggles, God will fight for us. And God always triumphs.

December 27, 2011

Christian Meditation: What Is It? What Does the Bible Say About It?

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things

Christian meditation dwells on what has already been revealed in creation or inspired revelation.  Whereas other forms of meditation are seeking some new truth to be revealed.  It is very important to not confuse the two.  The purpose of Christian Meditation is to nourish man with an understanding of God and His revealed will (not to seek for some unrevealed truth), and to give man spiritual joy and strength through such nourishment.  See Psalm 1:1-3 and Isaiah 40:28-31.  This same nourishment was what Jesus was talking about when tempted by Satan:  Matthew 4:4  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

We should reflect on God’s Word in a thoughtful way,  accept Its truths personally and apply them to our life.  Below are some examples or meditation in the Bible.  I have linked to each passage on Bible Gateway for ease of finding the passages.  I urge you to read passages for yourself, and see what they are saying to you.

  • Isaac meditated in the field - Gen 24:63
  • Joshua was told by God to meditate day and night - Joshua 1:8
  • A blessed man is one who meditates day and night - Psalm 1:1-2
  • David became wiser than his teachers through meditation - Psalm 119:99
  • Paul commanded Timothy to meditation - 1 Timothy 4:15

This is just a brief start on learning what Christian Meditation is and Bible says about it.  Please refer to the wiki article Christian Meditation for more information and references.

Sample routine for meditation:

  • Choose a place that is quiet and free from distractions
  • Choose a time that will allow you to no feel rushed or be rushed
  • Wear comfortable clothing
  • Pray prior to your meditation, perhaps even read a passage from the Bible to help you focus for your meditation
  • Do 6 to 8 rounds of Regular Breathing (breathe while counting to 6, hold the breath and count to 6, then breathe out while counting to 6).  (NOTE:  This breathing exercise is suggested to help you clear your mind of thoughts and to get focused.  Focus only on your breathing while doing this to start clearing your mind.)
  • Relax your mind and focus all thoughts on Jesus
  • Meditate for 10 to 15 minutes (this time can be increased or decreased based on personal preference)

When you are finished this would be a good time to do any stretching or other daily exercise that you do.  If you do not exercise this may be a good time for you to write your thoughts out, and if you do exercise then write your thoughts out immediately after you finish exercising.  These are just suggestions and each of us have to find what works for us.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Our Time Together

I have been reading the study plan called Lifetime Daily Devotions, and want to share what today’s was.  I think it’s so relevant and important, and pray that it’ll help bring some closer to a true relationship with God.  He is there, He is available at all times to talk too, He does care, and He wants us to reach out towards Him and enter into a deeper relationship with Him!
Set up your own reading plan at: http://www.youversion.com
http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/lifetime-guarantee-devotional/9

Galatians 4:6  6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Our Time Together
Hosea 6:3  So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn, And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.
Lord, I want to talk with You this morning.
The verse says that Your "going forth" is as certain as the dawn, so I'm confident that You're here with me. And this bare winter ground is ready to drink in the early rain with a soft, pliable heart--and with her face upturned.

Your Word tells me that You know my every thought, so You must be available to me. You're ready to converse with me on a lot of subjects that no one knows about except You--very personal, very deep subjects that I wouldn't want to share with anyone else. You know what I'm thinking. You know what I would like to say but can't. You know why I'm hesitant to bring up certain thoughts. You know me.
The question I'm concerned about is this: Am I available to You? Do I know You well enough to talk with You?

Well, Your Word is You. Your thoughts, written down. But sometimes You place a distinct thought between the lines and say to me, "Do you understand this verse, Anabel? Let Me explain it to you." Or, "Can You see this from My perspective?"

Sometimes You draw a mental picture for me that opens a file I had never thought of opening, making a passage relevant to me and to my world--now. How I love for You to do that . . . and I start cross-referencing, probing, finding out what Your thoughts are about the subject, getting to know You a little better.

I really don't want to spend our time together telling You about all my problems and making suggestions as to how You should take care of them. You know my needs before I even ask.

No, this time is just for You and for me. I want to know You, Lord. I want to be able to converse with You on some of Your favorite topics. Please talk to me. I love being with You and listening to Your voice.

And thank You, Lord Jesus, for making this awesome, powerful, infinite, all-knowing God an approachable Father.

December 23, 2011

What Does God Want?

From YouVersion Reading Plan: Life Application Study Bible ® Devotion 

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.13 And you must always obey the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.

Often we ask, "What does God expect from me?" Here Moses gives a summary that is simple in form and easy to remember. Here are the essentials: (1) Fear God; (2) Live in a way that pleases him; (3) Love him; (4) Serve him with all your heart and soul; and (5) Obey his commands. Too often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on his real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, serve, and obey.

I feel that this simplifies it very nicely.  God wants us to do five things and if we go back to those basics we can’t go wrong.

December 16, 2011

A Prayer of Faith in Times of Distress

I use YouVersion for managing my daily Bible Study and Reading.  I just started the Life Application Study Bible ® Devotion  reading plan and thought the first reading would be helpful for others.  As I go through my reading plans (I have more than one going at a time) I will post here those that I feel have some meaning or that may be helpful to various things survivors of domestic violence may be experiencing.

Psalm 6:6 - I am worn out from sobbing.
All night I flood my bed with weeping,
drenching it with my tears.

Pouring out his heart with tears, David was completely honest with God. We can be honest with God even when we are filled with anger or despair because God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us. Anger may result in rash outward acts or turning inward toward depression. But because we trust in our all-powerful God, we don't have to be victims of circumstance or be weighted down by the guilt of sin. Be honest with God, and he will help you turn your attention from yourself to him and his mercy.

The above verse and additional notes from YouVersion tells us two main things; be honest with God and do not hold onto to our anger.  Turn our anger over to God.  Regardless of whether we are angry with ourselves or with others, turn it over to God, trust Him to help you deal with it.  After reading this I decided to go look further... what does the rest of this particular Psalm say? 

After reading all of Psalm 6 I thought it may make a good prayer in its entirety.  I’ve copied it below for quick reference when you may be feeling overwhelmed, angry beyond reason, depressed or distressed either physically, mentally (emotionally) or spiritually.

This prayer of faith to use in times of distress says several things to us.  It tells us to trust in God and be honest with Him about what our troubles are.  It tells us to turn our distresses over to Him and know that He will handle them.  It also gives us hope to go on, knowing that God has heard our plea and prayer and will help us in His loving way.

Psalm 6 - 1 O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage.2 Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak.  Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.3 I am sick at heart.  How long, O LORD, until you restore me?4 Return, O LORD, and rescue me.  Save me because of your unfailing love.5 For the dead do not remember you.  Who can praise you from the grave?t6 I am worn out from sobbing.  All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.7 My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.  May they suddenly turn back in shame.

There are basically four things that David is saying in Psalm 6.  First he makes a petition for God’s mercy in time of distress, then he immediately praises God and states that praise comes from the living.  Then David describes his suffering and knowing that God has heard him he reprimands his enemies.

I welcome your comments!

December 14, 2011

What does the Bible say about Domestic Violence?

Scripture References Related to Abuse

Brian Tubbs
Mar 2, 2010
Did husbands beat their wives in the Bible? Domestic violence is not new. Domestic abuse was as real in Bible times as today. What does the Bible say about abuse?
Victims of domestic violence should know that the Bible contains clear, unmistakable declarations against any form of physical or verbal abuse. Those who seek to justify abuse by turning to the pages of the Bible are guilty not only of harming others, but also of distorting God's Word to suit their nefarious and deplorable actions.
Scripture References Related to Abuse
While some husbands undoubtedly beat their wives in Bible times as some husbands do today, it's generally believed that this was never God's plan or design for the home. On the contrary, the Bible repeatedly calls on people to show kindness, generosity, and love to one another, and specifically condemns the abuse of wives and children. Here are a few Scripture references related to abuse and the proper treatment that husbands, in particular, should extend to a wife:
  • "So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." ~Ephesians 5:28-29, NKJV
  • "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." ~Ephesians 4:31, NKJV
  • "Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." ~Colossians 3:19, NIV
  • "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard." ~I Peter 3:7, NIV
  • "The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked." ~Proverbs 10:11, NKJV
  • "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." ~James 1:19-20, NKJV
The Bible also exhorts fathers not to provoke their children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4) and to see children as a blessing and "heritage" from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).
In several passages, the Bible also promises God's attention to the poor, needy, and oppressed (Psalm 22:24; Psalm 140:12; Psalm 103:6) and exhorts God's followers to support and help those suffering affliction (Isaiah 1:17; Hebrews 13:3).
What Should Victims of Abuse Do?
In the face of abuse, Christians believe that victims should seek help from God and from those capable of extending support and assistance. Some find prayer beneficial – prayers for wisdom, grace, and protection should be offered fervently and consistently. But don't stop at prayer.

When a spouse is faced with abuse, Christians believe that she (or he) should follow the general advice Paul gives in his letter to the church at Rome. In that epistle, Paul writes: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18, NKJV).

Being a general principle, it is applicable to all situations, including the home. There comes a point when it's simply not possible to live at peace. When that point comes, the biblical principle of protecting oneself and others kicks in (Psalm 82:4; Proverbs 24:11; Nehemiah 4:12-14). As for how to implement that principle, victims of abuse should consult with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) for advice on their particular situation.
Biblical Homes – No Abuse or Violence
Christians believe that God never sides with an abusive husband or father (or abusive wife or mother, for that matter). According to modern Christian beliefs, abuse is completely inconsistent with God's standard for the home. What does a biblical home look like?

Christian ideology holds that God's standard for a biblical home begins with marriage. According to God's design, marriage involves leaving the father and mother and joining together with one's spouse (Genesis 2:24). That marriage is to be a lifelong commitment, based on two people coming together in love and in the sight of God (Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9).

Studies, in fact, have shown that marriage is statistically safer for women and children, when it comes to domestic violence. Of course, it's vital that spouses enter into a marriage relationship for the right reasons and with a healthy assessment of each other. A wife, for example, has the right to demand that her husband will love her unconditionally, treat her kindly and with respect, and value both her and any children that come into the marriage. This is indeed what the marital vows are all about and it's one reason why premarital counseling is important.

In the Christian school of thought, a truly biblical home, one where both spouses strive to act according to God's standard for marriage, there is unconditional love, mutual submission, sexual intimacy, kindness, mercy, and a lifelong commitment (Matthew 19:4-9; I Corinthians 7:2-5; I Corinthians 13; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3:18-21).

In such a marriage, the husband does not set himself up as a dictator, but rather as a servant, modeling Jesus Christ and commits to loving his wife as Jesus loved and gave himself for the church. In such a context, abuse and violence are clearly egregious sins. Not only does an abusive husband do great harm to the one he is to love and cherish, but he has plainly deviated from God's standard.

While many professing Christians tragically engage in verbal or physical abuse, Christians believe that this has never been God's design and that domestic violence has no place in a truly biblical home.

Read more at Suite101: What Does The Bible Say About Domestic Violence?: Scripture References Related to Abuse | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/what-does-the-bible-say-about-domestic-violence-a208402#ixzz1L7Eg5W56