It's hard to believe our 8 week study in Luke 9-16 has come to an end. It was an amazing study. Hard but yet I enjoyed digging deeper and deeper into the Word. It was a very sober, convicting study but one that is much needed. We can go around sugar-coating everything. We can't be lukewarm Christians. We must be BOLD!!
We
always encourage everyone to take a break between studies but some
women prefer to stay in the word and I'm one of them. I enjoy it. So
this time around I will post verses each day during our break. The
ladies in my groups can SOAP them if they wish or they can read them and
meditate on them or share a comment or two. It's totally optional
participation especially since we are on a break. I've been richly
blessed to see several of my members go off and lead Bible Study with
GMG -- It's truly amazing to stand back and watch them lead. I love
it!
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| Memory Verse for this week |
Luke 9-16 {Week 8}
Monday Read: Luke 16:1-12
SOAP: Luke 16:10
{O} Responsibility
– how do we handle the smallest amount of responsibility? EVERYTHING we have belongs to Him, we are to
take care of what we have. No matter how
small or great the responsibility we are to handle it carefully. Our driving force should be serving God – not
mammon. So we return the change when the
cashier gives us too much, yes turn around and go back in the store. Do we report money earned from selling on
ebay, yard sales, craigs list? Do we
report income on the side (cash only)?
How honest are we?
{A} No matter how
small or great our responsibility is, I need to give it my all!!! It’s important that we give to others – when
we have the means to do so. One of my
goals has been to become debt free – no credit cards etc. Not only does it help
with our finances but it helps us to be more generous. As our children grow – we give them little
chores or things they are responsible for and then we watch to see how they
handle it and give them more responsibility.
Our Father, God does the same thing with us, watching to see how we take
care of things.
{P} God, our Father, thank you for another day to serve
You. Thank you for your generosity, love
and mercy. Father, may I be free from
excess of material things, be generous to others with the gifts You have so
graciously given to me. May I remain focused
on the Kingdom and less on the material earthly world. In Jesus’, Amen
Luke 9-16 {Week 8} Tuesday Read: Luke 16:13-15
SOAP: Luke 16:13
{O} We can’t serve two masters!
How many of us are guilty of trying to serve both? Do I spend more money on
vacations, recreation than I do on giving to God’s work? Do I let “other” things have more control
over me? The only choice is “God”! He is so gracious and generous to us, we
should only have our heart set on His love.
{A}I am so guilty of letting
other things rule me, lock me up and throw away the key. Money has not been an
issue with me, totally gave that to God years ago. But I have let my battle with “other things”
control me for years, wearing me. Oh
sure I have medical issues that contribute to it “unhealthy weight” but in the
heart of the matter – it consumes my thoughts – feeling like such a miserable
failure. I need to focus on God with all
my heart and throw away the “weights” that have been holding captive all these
years. It’s time to live for Him.
Luke 9-16 {Week 8}
Wednesday Read: Luke 16:16-18
SOAP: Luke 16:17
{O} Jesus preached the Good News – brought freedom to
those on the wrong side of the tracks.
The Pharisees had so many laws that they excluded sinners the very
people that Jesus wanted to reach. We are sinners – through and through, we
can’t measure up to God’s standard! Matt
5:17 – Jesus comes to fulfill the law. The
law says what we must do, but grace and truth come through Jesus -- We can’t
have one without the other, if you reject the truth, there is no grace.
{A} Tough verses – hit home, maybe because I’m divorced
and remarried. In Matt 5:27-32 – We read about adultery and divorce, I’ve had
many people look down on me for my divorce and be rather self-righteous in
letting me know I’m a sinner. They are
no better than me, we are all on the wrong side of the tracks (all
sinners). I’ve had many heart to heart
chats with God on this matter – repented.
Jesus suffered a horrible painful death that He didn’t deserve in order
to purchase forgiveness that I don’t deserve.
I am thankful for Grace!
Luke 9-16 {Week 8}
Thursday Read: Luke 16:19-24
SOAP: Luke 16:24
{O} Talk about
reversal of fortune! The rich man had such luxuries to afford
purple dye and fine linen. He thought he didn’t have a care in the world, he
had everything money could buy – but God’s not for sale! The rich man was clearly serving the wrong master,
he lost sight of God, lost sight of the kingdom (the true treasure). Lazarus, a beggar covered in sores wanting
the crumbs that fell off the rich man’s table. He suffered greatly, but he was
wealthy in spirit, he never lost sight of God, he didn’t lose hope, he had his
eyes fixed on the true treasure in the kingdom.
He was rewarded for his faithfulness, being placed at the right hand of
Abraham, a place of honor. The rich man
is now suffering in “hell” – pain and torture and begging for water to cool his
tongue.
{A} Don’t lose
sight of God! There’s nothing wrong with having a money and being able to
afford things but have mercy on those that are poor. Be giving, compassionate, and loving to those
in need. Be a good steward of what God
has given us. Are we ready to give an
account to God about how we handled the wealth He gave us?
Matthew 7:12 --So in everything, do to
others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the
Prophets.
Luke 9-16 {Week 8} Friday Read: Luke 16:25-31
SOAP: Luke 16:31
{O} Clearly the rich man’s heart was focused on money not
God. Matthew 25:45-46 – says it well – Lazarus being the least of these. The rich man looked the other way – he chose
not to see Lazarus. If the rich man’s brothers don’t believe Moses and the
Prophets, why would they believe that Lazarus rose from the dead? If we lose our focus on God and turn our
backs on the Truth, we are doomed to hell.
Plain and Simple!
{A} I don’t handle heat well – so I want to make sure I
keep my focus on God and never look back!!! All our little treasures we hold on
to are just little material items that we can’t take with us. Share what you
can spare with others – don’t store up things that are going to rust and rot –
give it away. As they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. We are to give out of love – selflessly but
not out of guilt or unwisely either. Our focus on God, needs to be clear, not
wishy-washy! Not lukewarm! The Truth is
staring us in the face – we need to pay attention to it!
We need to speak up for those that are downtrodden, to do
justice for those in need.
“
First they came…” and I didn't speak out because….
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
is a famous statement and poem attributed to
pastor
Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
Our next study will start in a couple weeks -- I'm so excited that we
will be not only Bible Study but we will be reading the book 'Anything': The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul, by Jennie Allen! - I have my book and I'm ready to go! See my 'Anything' book in my stack of books ....
I'm so looking forward to growing more in Christ! Digging Deeper! Learning! Bonding! Praising the Lord! This is going to be powerful personal study!
Linking to GMG
