Blog Swap with Michelle Lesley ~ Rightly Dividing: 12 Do's and Don'ts for Effective Bible Study

Today I participate in another wonderful Blog Swap with Michelle Lesley. 

Here is an introduction to the post, in Michelle's words:

Bible study. As Christians we want to do it, we know we’re supposed to do it, but have you ever stopped to think that there are right ways and wrong ways to do it? Let’s take a look at a few do’s and don’ts of “rightly dividing God’s word” in Bible study.

Have you ever wanted to study your Bible more effectively? Head on over to Satisfaction Through Christ and check out Michelle Lesley's article: Rightly Dividing: 12 Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Bible Study.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 

a worker who has no need to be ashamed, 

rightly handling the word of truth." 

~ 2 Timothy 2:15 ~

For more information on Michelle's generous Blog Swap offer, click to image below.

Stouthearted Women and the Confidence They Exude

Psalms 138:3 has been on my radar for quite some time. The NIV reads like this:

“When I called You answered me, 

You have made me bold and stouthearted.”

Bold and stouthearted are such manly sounding words. Even the meaning of stoutheartedness is “valiant, brave, courageous” and other words associated with male qualities.

But y'all, I know some stouthearted women.

While it is much more preferable for a virtuous woman to have a sweet, gentle and pliable personality there are some who have strong convictions and aren't afraid of asserting them. There is a breed of women out there who have such passions for all that is truth and righteousness that when they are faced with adversities they boldly go forth in valiant courage.

Many decide a woman with a confident demeanor is stubborn. Some call her assertive, overbearing, too much, harsh, brash, outspoken, wild, uncontained, a free spirit; strong willed. (I dislike that last one with great passion. Just saying!)

Call it what you will, courage and confidence in a woman is a beautiful thing when used for her Heavenly Father's glory. He designed her unique, exactly as He wanted her, for exactly the path He knew she would walk on, facing the challenges only she would face.

Life is hard. We're going to need a little resilience if we are going to survive the knocks life can deal. We're going to need a bit of 'get up' in our step. Some spunk, if you will.

While it's no secret that women are the more relational and caring part of humanity, that shouldn't mean they are incapable of displaying courage in the face of life's bitter storms, or not allowed to have knowledge, wisdom and insight stuffed between their pretty little ears.

If you're like me, you might even decide that most people just don't know how to handle more woman than the average Susie! Anybody?

Oh believe me, I've tried to squash these passionate all-consuming feelings. I tried to corral the wild and uncontainable vividness of right and wrong, black and white, that I tend to see. I tried to bite my tongue when things just wanted to spew out.

For a while it worked! And it worked well! It worked because I tackled it with the same passion I'm so driven by. I told my cooking utensils exactly what I thought as I gouged them into whatever dinner was being prepared. I swung that broom with extra vigor, trying to prove a point stabbing those bristles at the dirt. I tackled those dishes, suds a-flying, and passions a-mounting!

Then it didn't work, and I hated myself for being myself and being myself WELL. 

Maybe this is why it failed,

I had tried to change myself instead of letting God change me.

I was trying to change the very person God made me to be. I was trying to fit myself into this cookie cutter shape of what I wished I could be, what society says a Christian woman should be, and what many women around me seem to have no problem being- the submissive wife, the patient mom, the demure, sweet, gentle, quiet woman.

All I figured out was that while I could act demure, there was nothing demure, gentle, patient, or submissive about my heart. Then, because my vivid right and wrong passions kicked in, I was soon condemning myself for being so hypocritical by trying to be what I wasn't.

Satan used my self against myself to condemn myself. What an evil plan.

Does anybody understand what I'm trying to say here?

I need some wild eyed, crazy haired woman to tell me she understands exactly what I'm talking about. Well, maybe you're not wild eyed or crazy haired, but I'm willing to bet you feel like it some days!

Here is my conclusion-

My stouthearted spirit was given to me by God- it's not going anywhere.

But, somewhere between the convictions of the Spirit and the execution of those convictions, I need to choose whether self will take over, or grace will abound.

For example, I get to choose how I respond to situations. That doesn't take away or even damper the fire in my heart for all things right, good and just in any given situation.

I get to choose to control my words. That doesn't rein in or diminish my fervency, it's just channeled into a more God honoring way. In fact, I get strengthened even more as I put God's grace on display for those around me to see.

The same stoutheartedness that grasps the convictions you and I have, can be the same stoutheartedness in which we execute our convictions.

A stouthearted woman can be proven sweet, gentle, kind, humble and submissive, when she lets herself be guided and directed by the Holy Spirit rather than her self.

When self-will is taken out of the picture, whats left is a confident woman on fire for God, unashamed and unfazed, blazing a trail as she runs hard after Him. >>TWEET THIS<<

THAT is a stouthearted woman.

I like her.

~~~~~~~~~~

Be encouraged!

Be inspired!

Click below to join

a virtual coffee break for your heart!

~~~~~~~~~

If you are a stouthearted woman too, you might find this article by Lisa Jacobson itweeting.

Sharing with.... Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, Modest Mom, Soul Survivor, Proverbs 31 Wife, The Beauty in His Grip, What Joy is Mine, Yes, They Are All Ours, Salt & Light, She Lives Free, Life of Faith, Nourishing Joy, Mom2Mom, Motivation Monday, Unite, Teaching What is Good, Chronically Content, God's Growing Garden, Joy Dare, My daily Walk in His Grace, Rachel Wojnarowski, So Much At Home, Woman to Woman, Holley Gerth, Becoming Godly Women, 3D Lessons,  Graced Simplicity, ImpartingGrace, Jenninfer Dukes Lee, Creative K, Children Are a Blessing, 7 Days Time,  Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop, Essential Things, Missional Women, A look at The Book, Family Fun, Create With Joy, Counting My Blessings, Christian Mommy Blogger, TimeWarp Wife

Anemic Women of the Christian Faith

Update: Many readers have found this post harsh. I can understand this. Please know, I consider this for myself first. We must take the Lord's word in it's entirety. While his love and grace cover all our sins, neither does He expect us to stay in our elementary knowledge of Him. We are to grow and mature. In order to do so we must take the saltiness of His word with the sweetness. If we do not, we are in danger of no longer being the salt of His earth.

You are dear to me. The reason I wrote these words is because they have me written all over them. I tend to be most firm on subjects that I see myself in. Please read the comments and add your thoughts. Blessings!

Today's Christianity rarely sees women worthy of being praised.

Oh, they get it all right. 

They get praised for getting their sweet, darling little selves to church on time with the whole family in coordinating outfits. They are praised for participating in Bible studies, teaching Sunday school, or any other thing that people see and deem good.

Nothing wrong with that. Part of every woman wants to know her efforts are appreciated.

But, most Christian women have been pumped so full on this sugary sweet, foo-foo-ey type praise, they've started believing that soaking up and gushing out praises coated with syrup in high pitched tones for no reason other than showing her face, is normal.

As a result, they get their heads stuck so far up in the clouds, feeding on marshmallows of “you're just so precious!” and bon-bons of “how sweet and darling can you be?!” type of stuff, that they've become anemic in their faith.

They've become weak. Not just weak, but weak-willed as well. They have no backbone when it comes to their faith. They've become wishy-washy, lackluster. They exude feeble character. They buckle and fall apart like a dandelion head at the first poof of wind.

They've become ineffectual, ill-equipped to cope with any situation that might mean standing firm in their faith. Not only are they ill-equipped, they've become flat out insipid, lacking an interest in growing the faith they do have. They just like knowing everything is sweet and lovely and kind and generous and....foo-foo-ey. They have no conviction, no desire, no hunger for the one true God.

They just sit there on their fine little fanny growing more and more anemic with each passing day.

If you're that kind of woman, I'll tell you what I told thousands of women here: It's time you grow up. It's time you open that word of God and start getting a feel for what is real. You start feeding and feasting on God's unending buffet, complete with free refills of His living water. Then you order up yourself a good dose of “test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2) and you pray for the courage to live in full reliance on His faithfulness.

For now, we are going to look at examples of women who are not anemic. Exceptional women who are worthy of being praised. Exceptional women just doing every day life in every day ways.

1. The mom who bravely submits to homeschooling her children when it would be so much easier to send them to school.
2. The wife who works long hard hours beside her husband establishing their family business.

3. The mother up all night holding her child through a sickness.

4. The mother who sits beside her child's hospital bed, day in and day out.

5. The grandmother raising her grandchildren.

6. The teenage girl who chooses to keep her child.

7. The wife who bravely forsakes her family, friends and all things familiar to follow her husband and his vision, which he is fully persuaded holds much more promise than that of staying where they are.

8. The widow or single mom raising up little ones to be mighty arrows.

9. The wife who forgives her husband's infidelity the first time...the second time...the third time...
10. The mother who buried her child before his or her time.
11. The missionary wife and mother. 
12. The chronically ill woman.
13. Think of that one woman you would name far from having an anemic faith. Put her name here_______.

What makes her exceptional?

Is it the circumstances placed upon her? Maybe she's still young, so could it be her vitality? Maybe she's experienced a lot in life? Or maybe she hasn't been knocked down quite as many times? Maybe its just her personality, you think?

Or maybe she's an exceptional woman because she nurtures a not so anemic faith.

She's not afraid of taking a stand for the right.

She's not afraid of getting her hands dirty, stained and calloused.

She's not afraid of being tired.

She's not afraid of being lonely.

She's not afraid of doing more than her share.

She's not afraid of what people say.

She just knows right here and right now, in her present situation, she has a God who sustains her. She has a God who promises a hope and a future to the faithful. And she has set her mind to being faithful till her very last breath.

She knows her God is far from anemic Himself, and because He made her in His likeness she can stand tall and strong, laughing at the days to come. Laughing at whatever breeze or gale may come storming her way. She doesn't run in fear or cower under the enemy's threats like women with an anemic faith do.

She bravely calls for her God. He answers her and He makes her bold. Then He finishes with a flourish, dousing her with an ample supply of stoutheartedness.

She digs in and does what needs to be done to the amazement of those around her. Some laugh at her. Some scorn. Some betray. Many wonder, certain she has fallen off her rocker or will be falling soon.

Yet, she stands tall and strong. She squares her shoulders, bravely marching on with her sword of truth and sheild of faith, head held high and her eyes glued to the prize He holds for His exceptional, stouthearted women of the faith.

Listen, she's not exceptional because she's not scared. She's probably scared out of her mind.

She's exceptional because she is not anemic. She's not complacent. She's not weak.

She's exceptional because she's far from being anemic in her faith.  >>tweet this<<

"So, because you are lukewarm-

neither hot nor cold-

I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

~ Revelation 3:16 ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's coffee time!

Go here to take a virtual coffee break

for your homemaker's heart!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Verses Encouraging Right Choices

“I have set before you life and death, 

blessings and curses. 

Now choose life so that you and your children may live, 

and that you may love the Lord your God, 

listen to His voice and hold fast to Him.” 

~ Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ~

“then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....

But as for me and my household, 

we will serve the Lord.” 

~ Joshua 24:15 ~

“Choose My instruction instead of silver, 

knowledge rather than choice gold, 

for wisdom is more precious than rubies, 

and nothing you desire can compare with her.” 

~ Proverbs 8:10-11 ~

“Listen to advice and accept instruction 

and in the end you will be wise.” 

~ Proverbs 19:20 ~

>>TWEET THIS<<

Print this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!

~~~~

This is part of an encouraging series focused solely on what God says when you feel or need something, what His promises are and how He supplies them. 
I hope you join today!!

Verses for When You are Burdened

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, 

who daily bears our burdens. 

Our God is a God who saves, 

from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” 

~ Psalm 68:19-20 ~

“Come to Me, 

all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

~ Matthew 11:28-30 ~

“I am feeble and utterly crushed; 

I groan in anguish of heart. 

All my longings lie open before You, O Lord; 

my sighing is not hidden from You. 

...I wait for You, O Lord; 

You will answer, O Lord my God.” 

~ Psalm 38:8-9,15 ~

“Cast all your care on the Lord and He will sustain you; 

He will never let the righteous fall.” 

~ Psalm 55:22 ~

“The Lord uphold all those who fall 

and lifts up all who are bowed down.” 

~ Psalm 145:14 ~

>>TWEET THIS<<

Print this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!

~~~~

This is part of an encouraging series focused solely on what God says when you feel or need something, what His promises are and how He supplies them. 
I hope you join today!!

Verses for When You Need Boldness

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, 

but a spirit of power, 

of love and of self-discipline. 

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” 

~ 2 Timothy 1:7-8 ~

“without being frightened 

in any way by those who oppose you. 

This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, 

but that you will be saved- 

and that by God.” 

~ Philippians 1:28 ~

“Surely God is my salvation; 

I will trust and not be afraid. 

The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; 

He has become my salvation.” 

~ Isaiah 12:2 ~

“When I called, You answered me; 

You have made me bold and stouthearted.” 

~ Psalm 138 :3 ~

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; 

He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged.” 

~ Deuteronomy 31:8 ~

TWEET THIS!!

Print this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!

~~~~

This is part of an encouraging series focused solely on what God says when you feel or need something, what His promises are and how He supplies them. 
I hope you join today!!

Sharing with some of these wonderful blogs

Verses for When You Feel Angry

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, 

for anger resides in the lap of fools.” 

~ Ecclesiastes 7:9 ~

“A patient man has great understanding, 

but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” 

~ Proverbs 14:29 ~

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, 

but a harsh word stirs up anger.” 

~ Proverbs 15:1 ~

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, 

but a wise man keeps himself under control.” 

~ Proverbs 29:11 ~

“Better a patient man than a warrior, 

a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” 

~ Proverbs 16:32 ~

“Get rid of all bitterness, 

rage and anger, 

brawling and slander, 

along with every form of malice. 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, 

forgiving each other, 

just as in Christ God forgave you.” 

~ Ephesians 4:31 ~

“My dear brothers, take note of this: 

Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak and slow to become angry, 

for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life

that God desires.” 

~ James 1:19-20 ~

Print this!

>>TWEET THIS<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!

~~~~

This is part of an encouraging series focused solely on what God says when you feel or need something, what His promises are and how He supplies them. 
I hope you join today!!

Verses for Developing a Right Attitude

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who...made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant...He humbled Himself...” 

~ Philippians 2:5-8 ~

"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."  

~ Romans 12:3 ~

“put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God 

in true righteousness and holiness.” 

~ Ephesians 4:22-24 ~

“Rid yourself of all the offense you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.” 

 ~ Ezekiel 18:31 ~

“Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

...Practice hospitality.” 

~ Romans 12:10-13 ~

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

~ 1 Thessalonians 6:16-18 ~

“ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” 

~ Ezekiel 36:26-27 ~

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” 

~ Psalm 51:10 ~

Print this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This is part of an encouraging series focused solely on what God says when you feel or need something, what His promises are and how he supplies them. 
I hope you join today!!

Verses for when you need Acceptance

“I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; 

and I will call her 'My loved one' who is not my loved one.”

 ~ Romans 9:25 ~

“How great is the love the father has lavished on us, 

that we should be called children of God! 

And that is what we are!”

 ~ 1 John 3:1 ~

Jesus says, 

“I no longer call you servants, 

because a servant does not know his master's business. 

Instead, 

I have called you friends,...

you did not choose Me, but I chose you...” 

 ~ John 15:15-16 ~

"Praise be to God, 

who has not rejected my prayer 

or 

withheld His love from me!"

~ Psalm 66:20 ~

"You are forgiving and good, O Lord, 

abounding in love to all who call to you."

~ Psalm 86:5 ~

"Whoever is wise, 

let him heed these things 

and

 consider the great love of the Lord. "

~ Psalm 107:43 ~

Print this! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~

This is part of an encouraging series of what God says when you feel or need something. The focus will be solely on what He says about your need and what He supplies for that need. I hope you join today!!

Verses for When You Feel Alone

Sometimes the encouragement we need has to come straight from God's word for it to really speak to our hearts. While adding our own words can be helpful and encouraging, there are times when reading another's thoughts just adds to the noise in our head. 

I believe this happens because what we really need is for our Creator's voice to speak directly into our hearts. We need Him. He is the only one who can fill that God-shaped hole in our heart. 

His word is all powerful, all healing and wholly dependable.

Mine aren't.

So, this is the beginning of a long series of posts focused directly on what God says when we feel or need a certain thing. 

Just His word. 

Just for you. 

Read them. Pray them. Write them. Add a few of your favorites. I trust however you use them, He will provide what you need. 

Always.

"Come near to God and He will come near to you..." 

~ James 4:8 ~

"I will not leave you comfortless: 

I will come to you." 

 ~ John 14:18 ~ KJV

"God is your refuge and strength, 

a very present help in trouble. "

 ~ Psalm 46:1 ~

"For the sake of His great name 

the Lord will not reject His people, 

because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. "

 ~ 1 Samuel 12:22 ~

Did you read that? God says He is PLEASED to make you His very own!

"The Lord Himself goes before you

 and will be with you; 

He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged. "

 ~ Deuteronomy 31:8 ~

"Cast all your anxiety on Him 

because He cares for you." 

 ~ 1 Peter 5:7 ~

"neither death nor life, 

neither angels nor demons, 

neither the present nor the future, 

nor any powers, 

neither height nor depth, 

nor anything else in all creation, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God 

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 ~ Romans 8:38-39

Jesus said, 

“I am with you always, 

to the very end of the age.” 

 ~ Matthew 28:20 ~

Print this!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't miss another post in this powerful series.

Take a virtual coffee break for your heart!

Visit the top right side bar and join today!