Bible Study Day 2

Read: Luke 1:26-38
Soap: Luke 1:37-38

S-For with God nothing is impossible. And Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.

O-NKJV   1) For with God nothing is impossible
               2) Be it unto me according to thy word
    NIV     1) For no word from God will ever fail
               2) May your word to me be fulfilled
    NLT    2) May everything you have said about me come true

What a great testimony of faith!

A-1) I need to have a faith like that. I am going to add to my daily remembrance that nothing is impossible with God.
   2) Facing uncertainty about the future, I need to trust God and say, "Be it unto me according to your word!"

P-Father,
I thank you for the great things to come in Kevin's job situation. Be it unto him according to your word. I know that nothing is impossible with you! In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Trust

Trust...this seems to be the theme for our lives right now.

Trust...believing that God's ways are higher than my ways, that His thoughts are higher than my thoughts.

Trust...believing in all things He will work for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Trust...believing that He knows the plans He has for me and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future.

Trust...laying down all the cares of the world that choke me and follow Him.

It was amazing to see the parable of the sower in light of my relationship with God. As I allowed myself to be completely honest with myself, I found I am much like the soil of hearing God's word and receiving it joyfully, but in time allowing the cares of this world and the pull of possessions to choke me. It just hit me like a ton of bricks that when the cares of life over take me, I try to work it out myself. I try to make my own plan and in doing so, I follow my own path and am not following Jesus. Yes, I am saved, but I am not trully following Him. Following Him means to lay these cares and worries down, trust Him to follow His path, His way. He will take care of these worries. I don't have to work and fight these cares on my own. Yes, life is hard, but it doesn't have to be as hard as I make it, if I trust Him to be everything I need. Right now, I am needing Him more than ever before. I am learning to trust Him more. I am learning to wait patiently and often quietly. I am learning that my best laid plans will crumble beneath the weight of His perfect plan. His plan is greater than anything I could ever dream up, and I must remind myself of that even when I don't understand what is going on.

Trust...in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

Reference: Isaiah 55:9, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 13:22

New Year, New Bible Study Session!

I have several goals for this year: personal, marriage, mothering, homemaking, ministry and financial goals. One of the goals is to blog twice a month...I may be doing that a little more these next few weeks as I use my blog to try to connect with my Bible study group. I am going to post my Bible study observations and applications each Mon-Fri through the rest of January to stay accountable. We connect through a private group on Facebook. I won't be utilizing Facebook until February. My husband and I have been taking a much needed break. It has been a blessing to refocus on the important things without all the nagging distractions.

So today begins my Bible study entries. Our Bible Study is through Good Morning Girls, titled Living Like Jesus. We are studying Luke 1-8. I use the SOAP method that was introduced to me through Good Morning Girls. It has helped me so much in learning to study the Bible. For more information, check out the Good Morning Girls blog here.

*Note-I read my passages in NKJV, NIV and NLT. In my observations, there may be a mix of those three. I will note which version I used.

S-Luke 1:1-4

O-Luke-having had perfect understanding of all things
Written for Theophilus to have certainty of those things he has been instructed

A-I can take these accounts at face value, since these were firsthand accounts. I need to read his word for myself so that I, too, can be certain of those things I have been taught. (NKJV)

P-God, I want to know you in a new and refreshing way, I want to follow you, your word, and not man. Though there are great teachers, I can not replace reading your word and knowing you personally with great teaching. Speak to me God. I wait for you and am listening, Amen!