I enjoy playing Animal Crossing for the WII. I am on day 4 of having a perfect town. On day 15 of having a perfect town, I will be awarded a gold watering can for my efforts. And it takes alot of effort to achieve and then maintain it for that long.
Now let's look at perfection in other areas. Do you have a perfect life? Are you a perfect person? A perfect christian? Do you attend a perfect church? Are your parents perfect? Your children? Your pastor? Your friends? Your neighbors? The only thing perfect is Christ, and the only way we will ever reach perfection is when we are with Him in heaven. That doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for perfection in those areas I listed. But we must remember when we are going through situations that we aren't perfect and neither is anyone else. We are all human. We will make mistakes, and we will not always agree. But Christ has called us to strive to be more like Him. If we are doing that then we are at least on the right road.
Just some thoughts from my muddled brain this morning.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Lesson 8 Speaking with kindness
Little member is what God calls the tongue, but great blessings and great evils flow therefrom.
1. The virtuous woman speaks with kindness (pr 31:26). Discuss positive ways you can use your tongue from :
ps 34:1-3 blessing the Lord at all times
pr 12:25 speaking good words to people
pr 16:23-24 Pleasant words are health to the bones and sweet to the soul
pr 12:18 tongue of the wise is health
pr 15:1 speak softly and not grievously
2. Give an example of someone who recently ministered to you with their speech. Explain why their words were so meaningful.
I recently prayed for a friend without knowing if something was going on at the time, just felt led to pray strongly for her. Found out later that she did indeed need prayer at the time and it encouraged me to know that I was following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I feel that I miss it and it is encouraging to know that I didn't.
3. When it is impossible or impractical to overlook an offense, why is it best to talk directly to the party involved before discussing the matter with anyone else?
Pr 25:9-12 Because they are the only one who can do something about the offense
Mt 18:15 they may not realize you were offended and then can make things right
Lk 17:3-4 We need to forgive them if they ask us to
4. From the passages listed below, what is involved in being a wise reprover?
pr 9:8-9 rebuke a wise man not a scorner
pr 25:15 we must be long forebearing
Gal 6:1 We must do it in a spirit of meekness
eph 4:15 speak truth in love
col 4:6 let your speech be with grace
1 sam 25:23-25
5. Define flattery.
false praise, commendation for the purpose of gaining favor or influence, or to accomplish some purpose.
6. Why does someone flatter?
see the definition
7. Why is it wrong according to:
pr 12:2 a good man receives favor from the Lord
pr 12:17-19 truth shows forth rightousness and flattery is a lie
pr 26:28 a flattering mouth worketh ruin
pr 29:5 flatters set a trap for the one they are flattering
8. Why does someone nag?
usually because they are not getting their way
9. Describe the effects of nagging based on:
pr 19:13
pr 21:19
pr 25:24
1. The virtuous woman speaks with kindness (pr 31:26). Discuss positive ways you can use your tongue from :
ps 34:1-3 blessing the Lord at all times
pr 12:25 speaking good words to people
pr 16:23-24 Pleasant words are health to the bones and sweet to the soul
pr 12:18 tongue of the wise is health
pr 15:1 speak softly and not grievously
2. Give an example of someone who recently ministered to you with their speech. Explain why their words were so meaningful.
I recently prayed for a friend without knowing if something was going on at the time, just felt led to pray strongly for her. Found out later that she did indeed need prayer at the time and it encouraged me to know that I was following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I feel that I miss it and it is encouraging to know that I didn't.
3. When it is impossible or impractical to overlook an offense, why is it best to talk directly to the party involved before discussing the matter with anyone else?
Pr 25:9-12 Because they are the only one who can do something about the offense
Mt 18:15 they may not realize you were offended and then can make things right
Lk 17:3-4 We need to forgive them if they ask us to
4. From the passages listed below, what is involved in being a wise reprover?
pr 9:8-9 rebuke a wise man not a scorner
pr 25:15 we must be long forebearing
Gal 6:1 We must do it in a spirit of meekness
eph 4:15 speak truth in love
col 4:6 let your speech be with grace
1 sam 25:23-25
5. Define flattery.
false praise, commendation for the purpose of gaining favor or influence, or to accomplish some purpose.
6. Why does someone flatter?
see the definition
7. Why is it wrong according to:
pr 12:2 a good man receives favor from the Lord
pr 12:17-19 truth shows forth rightousness and flattery is a lie
pr 26:28 a flattering mouth worketh ruin
pr 29:5 flatters set a trap for the one they are flattering
8. Why does someone nag?
usually because they are not getting their way
9. Describe the effects of nagging based on:
pr 19:13
pr 21:19
pr 25:24
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Silly me
I got tangled up in the power cord of hubby's laptop last night and started to fall. I tried really hard to stop myself, but couldn't so I went sliding down the hall on one knee. When i stopped sliding I hit the other knee, a shoulder and both wrists. Sigh. I have almost no skin on the knee I slid on. Hubby's laptop hit the floor also. But amazingly enough it is working fine. And other then sore, I am ok also. Such is a day in my world.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Lesson 7 Miriam, an unrestrained tongue
Numbers 12:1-15
1. How did Miriam want others to see herself and Aaron?
The same as they saw Moses.
2. What lay at the root of Miriam's sin?
Jealousy
3. What statement in verse 2 is so often forgotten by those who gossip?
that God hears when they do
4. How did God view Moses? (v 3-9)
as a faithful servant
5. How did God view the sin of Miriam (v 9-14, pr 6:16-19, 1 tim 5:19-20)?
6. Why does God consider gossiping such a sin?
7. Comment on:
pr 11:9
pr 16:28
pr 17:9
pr 17:20
pr 26:20-23
8. Can you think of a situation where you have been personally hurt by gossip?
9. Can you think of a situation where you have hurt another with gossip?
10. Did you learn anything from the two experiences? explain.
11. What effect did Miriams sin have on the others? (v15)
12. How can you help stop gossip according to:
pr 14:15
pr 15:28
pr 17:27-28
pr 18:13
james 3:2-18
1. How did Miriam want others to see herself and Aaron?
The same as they saw Moses.
2. What lay at the root of Miriam's sin?
Jealousy
3. What statement in verse 2 is so often forgotten by those who gossip?
that God hears when they do
4. How did God view Moses? (v 3-9)
as a faithful servant
5. How did God view the sin of Miriam (v 9-14, pr 6:16-19, 1 tim 5:19-20)?
6. Why does God consider gossiping such a sin?
7. Comment on:
pr 11:9
pr 16:28
pr 17:9
pr 17:20
pr 26:20-23
8. Can you think of a situation where you have been personally hurt by gossip?
9. Can you think of a situation where you have hurt another with gossip?
10. Did you learn anything from the two experiences? explain.
11. What effect did Miriams sin have on the others? (v15)
12. How can you help stop gossip according to:
pr 14:15
pr 15:28
pr 17:27-28
pr 18:13
james 3:2-18
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Lesson 6 Mary and Martha, cumbered and contented
Look over Luke 10:38-42
1. In the passage at hand two sisters desire to please Jesus. Why is Mary praised?
Because she chose to sit and listen to what Jesus had to say before doing anything else. This is strictly my opinion but I believe she discerned how short a time she would have to learn from Him.
2. Why is Martha rebuked? I think (again my opinion) that it was her attitude He was rebuking. She received Him into her home and felt responsible for the preparations for Him and whoever was with Him. But she didn't have a good attitude about working while everyone else, including Mary, were listening to Him. She should have listened and then done the preparations.
3. How might Martha have been different if she had taken the time to listen to Jesus before she served?
Well her attitude would have definitely been different.
4. What charge did Martha make against Jesus in verse 40?
That He didn't care
5. Have you ever felt this way under the pressures of daily work? explain.
yes unfortunately i have. I think all of us can relate to how Martha felt.
6. What charge did Martha make against Mary in verse 40?
Pretty much that Mary was lazy and selfish.
7. Discuss how our self-love leads us into bad attitudes toward others.
We think due to our self-love that others should want to help us, do for us, etc. When they don't, if we aren't careful, we can fall into a bad attitude toward them. The door can be opened to resentment, anger, bitterness.
8. What does verse 40 teach about the prayers of one whose perspective is faulty?
That our prayers will be self centered.
9. Define cumbered.
over occupied with cares, burdens, distracted, to weigh down.
10. Are you ever in this condition? why?
yes and it is always when I am trying to do something without the Lord's help or that is not in His will for me at the time.
11. How can you serve more like Mary?
I can pray and seek the Lord and His help before serving.
12. How does Jesus describe true servitude in Mark 10:42-45?
That true servitude means you serve with everything you have. Jesus laid down His life for us as an act of servitude.
13. Relate this description to the passages in Titus and Proverbs 31 from earlier lessons.
We must joyfully serve others after seeking the Lord's will.
14. Can you think of a situation in your life where effective service came after spiritual worship?
yes, many times and many situations.
1. In the passage at hand two sisters desire to please Jesus. Why is Mary praised?
Because she chose to sit and listen to what Jesus had to say before doing anything else. This is strictly my opinion but I believe she discerned how short a time she would have to learn from Him.
2. Why is Martha rebuked? I think (again my opinion) that it was her attitude He was rebuking. She received Him into her home and felt responsible for the preparations for Him and whoever was with Him. But she didn't have a good attitude about working while everyone else, including Mary, were listening to Him. She should have listened and then done the preparations.
3. How might Martha have been different if she had taken the time to listen to Jesus before she served?
Well her attitude would have definitely been different.
4. What charge did Martha make against Jesus in verse 40?
That He didn't care
5. Have you ever felt this way under the pressures of daily work? explain.
yes unfortunately i have. I think all of us can relate to how Martha felt.
6. What charge did Martha make against Mary in verse 40?
Pretty much that Mary was lazy and selfish.
7. Discuss how our self-love leads us into bad attitudes toward others.
We think due to our self-love that others should want to help us, do for us, etc. When they don't, if we aren't careful, we can fall into a bad attitude toward them. The door can be opened to resentment, anger, bitterness.
8. What does verse 40 teach about the prayers of one whose perspective is faulty?
That our prayers will be self centered.
9. Define cumbered.
over occupied with cares, burdens, distracted, to weigh down.
10. Are you ever in this condition? why?
yes and it is always when I am trying to do something without the Lord's help or that is not in His will for me at the time.
11. How can you serve more like Mary?
I can pray and seek the Lord and His help before serving.
12. How does Jesus describe true servitude in Mark 10:42-45?
That true servitude means you serve with everything you have. Jesus laid down His life for us as an act of servitude.
13. Relate this description to the passages in Titus and Proverbs 31 from earlier lessons.
We must joyfully serve others after seeking the Lord's will.
14. Can you think of a situation in your life where effective service came after spiritual worship?
yes, many times and many situations.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Lesson 5 Hannah the Fear of the Lord
Sorry it has been awhile, but things have been busy.
I don't really have time to post my answers to all of the questions but will post what a couple.
1 Read ps 31:19; ps 111:10, ps 112:1, ps 147:11, and pr 8:13 and then write a paragrah defining the fear of the Lord.
Fear of God begins with trusting Him above all else. If we have wisdom we will have a reverent fear of God. Not fear as we would have of a bully. That is totally different. God is not a bully. He is our loving Father who desires only the best for us. It is when we make bad choices that He can't bless us. When we have reverent fear we want to do His will. And we hate the things He hates. The word promises many blessings to us if we have a reverent fear of the Lord, but we shouldn't fear Him to receive the blessings, but because we love Him.
2. Next to the following life situations write p if you have battled them in the past, or c if you are battling them currently. For those in the past, how did God grant the victory?
age health
physical appearance children or lack of them
relatives or in-laws lack of ability
spouse or lack of one station in life
death of loved one finances
3. How did Job, the righteous man who suffered innocently, respond to his trials (Job 23:1-12)? What result came out of his suffering (Job 42:12)?
4. Sometimes God uses suffering to deal with His children who are not following Him or fearing Him. Why does He allow trial in the case of disobedient believers (Jer 24:5-7; 29:11-14; 31:10-14)?
5. In each of the following situations, explain how trials can result in God's glory, our benefit and the benefit of others:
grief 2 cor 1:3-4
trials James 1:2-4
troubles 2 cor 4:16-18
illness 2 cor 12:7-10
persecutions 1 Pet 4:12-14
6. Write of an incident in your life where personal difficulty brought about special glory to the Lord.
I don't really have time to post my answers to all of the questions but will post what a couple.
1 Read ps 31:19; ps 111:10, ps 112:1, ps 147:11, and pr 8:13 and then write a paragrah defining the fear of the Lord.
Fear of God begins with trusting Him above all else. If we have wisdom we will have a reverent fear of God. Not fear as we would have of a bully. That is totally different. God is not a bully. He is our loving Father who desires only the best for us. It is when we make bad choices that He can't bless us. When we have reverent fear we want to do His will. And we hate the things He hates. The word promises many blessings to us if we have a reverent fear of the Lord, but we shouldn't fear Him to receive the blessings, but because we love Him.
2. Next to the following life situations write p if you have battled them in the past, or c if you are battling them currently. For those in the past, how did God grant the victory?
age health
physical appearance children or lack of them
relatives or in-laws lack of ability
spouse or lack of one station in life
death of loved one finances
3. How did Job, the righteous man who suffered innocently, respond to his trials (Job 23:1-12)? What result came out of his suffering (Job 42:12)?
4. Sometimes God uses suffering to deal with His children who are not following Him or fearing Him. Why does He allow trial in the case of disobedient believers (Jer 24:5-7; 29:11-14; 31:10-14)?
5. In each of the following situations, explain how trials can result in God's glory, our benefit and the benefit of others:
grief 2 cor 1:3-4
trials James 1:2-4
troubles 2 cor 4:16-18
illness 2 cor 12:7-10
persecutions 1 Pet 4:12-14
6. Write of an incident in your life where personal difficulty brought about special glory to the Lord.
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