A page from my personal studies…
I love Bible study. I love doing word studies, looking up parallel passages, and using different translations. Give me green tea, a pen, a study guide and my Bible, and I retreat to my “happy place.”
Yes, I am a Bible study geek. {smile}
Every so often, I will share what I am learning in my personal Bible study time with you. (My personal study time is different than my devotional or quiet time. I will be writing more on this later…)
A page from the Psalms of Ascent Bible Study by Beth Moore, page 105. Here are my scribbles on Psalm 128. I am definitely not a poet 🙂
My current Bible study: Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore
I am currently studying the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). In today’s lesson, I read the following:
“When Christ called His Bride (His Church) to be fruitful…He wasn’t just issuing a great idea or even an invitation. He was issuing a command…What we read of Christ’s final face-to-face words to His disciples in Matthew 28:19 is not called The Great Permission. It’s called The Great Commission.” (page 104, emphasis mine)
In honor of the young girls I mentor: “oh snap.”
The statements that followed reminded me that Jesus Christ chose me to appoint fruit that would last (John 15:16). I did not choose Him. He chose me. I did not love Him first. He loved me first. Oh snap! (again)
Miss Beth ended this particular portion of our homework by encouraging us to utilize the anointing and giftedness God has given us-drawing those around us into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
This is the point of our commission, is it not?
I finished my study sensing that I need to become better at asking God how to specifically fulfill my commission on a daily basis. Not to assume, or appoint myself to do or say what I think is best. In other words:
He leads.
I follow and testify.
He blesses.
I am changed and testify.
Other people notice and are drawn to Jesus.
Our commission is awesome.
Lord, help me to follow your lead and to be patient in your timing. Help me to find freedom in you from whatever holds me back from fulfilling my commission. Encourage me as I embrace change and your calling upon my life. Allow me to behold your glory and shine your light into the dark and hurting world around me. Amen.
Have an “Oh snap” week in the Word,
Your turn to share your “oh snap” moments:
Leave me a comment below sharing what Bible study you are participating in, or what book you are currently reading, and your “oh snap” moment from it.
For further reflection:
Spend the next few minutes thinking about the following:
- am I being fruitful and multiplying myself in a spiritual sense? If so, how can I encourage others around me to do the same? If not, what is keeping me from fulfilling my commission?
I started reading, She’s Got Issues, and almost immediately realized…Um, I have issues! My main issues are external control (feeling that my life is OUT of control, or not IN my control) and comparison. I tend to lose my happiness when other’s are successful and I’m not, regardless of how hard I try (comparison mixed with external control–ugh!). Instead of being happy for others, I get upset at my own lacking, and I lose my joy over it. So far I’m just reading about all the issues I currently have. LOL!!
Tristine: I had no idea you were reading my autobiography! 🙂 Just kidding, but I can relate to the “having issues” part. I will have to take a look at this book. Praying that this will be a freeing and healing part of your walk with God. Praying for His joy to overwhelm you today!
Comparison has always plagued me. Do you remember in John chapter 21, where Peter asks Jesus about John and what will become of him? I tend to sometimes look at others and wonder “what do you have for her” or “why do they have ___” and Jesus graciously speaks the same to me as He did to Peter: “Never mind them or her, Tracy. Keep your focus on ME. My way FOR YOU is best FOR YOU.” Oh snap, oh snap. 🙂 I am growing to appreciate and to truly delight in God’s special plans for me. I am thankful He loves us despite “our issues” and I pray that His glory will shine through all of our “cracks.”
Thanks for sharing and for your honesty Tristine!
Love this and I can relate, love Bible studies and sneaking away to my “happy place” just me, my Bible and Jesus. Right now I am a Team Leader for Melissa Taylor’s Online Bible Study – An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell. I also help out with Renee Swope’s A Confident Heart and Wendy Blight’s Hidden Joy. Love the Proverbs 31 studies.
Oh’ snap Tracy! This was WONDERFUL!!! I am smiling and so blessed! 🙂 God is showing up in my life in an extreme and personal way. I prayed a bold prayer a few short months ago for God to show me that all my abilities, confidence, and dependance need to be found in Him and through His power. It’s way to much to go into here but… He IS doing it! He is healing me more through the process too. He is so good to us… and I’m so blessed by you Tracy! I love your blog! ~ Blessings girl, Amy
Veronica: Thank you for stopping by One Degree and for letting us know about the Proverbs 31 studies. They sound amazing! I will have to take a peak. I have never done an online study before, and would love to start one at One Degree someday. I pray God’s blessings on your studies, and that they would be full of life changing “oh snap” moments for you.
Hi Amy! I am so glad you were blessed, and thank you for your encouragement! I love how you stated that God is showing up in your life “in an extreme and personal way.” I hope you are taking some time to journal what God is doing. Sounds like you might be witnessing a “burning bush” moment with the Lord! 🙂 I thank you for reminding me to pray boldly-I love that. I praise God for His faithfulness to you, and for bringing additional healing to you. He is VERY good indeed. Have a blessed week and thanks for commenting.
Oh Snap! I need some green tea now. Saw a demonstration on James 4:8 as a teen and it has spoken to me ever since… Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Two people on opposite ends of the stage. One said Draw nigh to God AND took a step to the other, the other person(GOD) then took a step to the first. They did it over and over till they were close. I find this to be true in my personal life and think of it often when I know it is my turn to take a step. Oh snap! He’s always giving me extra steps too.
Definitely interested in what you do for personal quiet time and study time.
Thank you my “Bible study geek” friend.
Hi Kelley! I love the physical representation of James 4:8 that you mentioned above. I am so thankful that God longs to draw near to us. He never “checks” out of our lives. Thank you for sharing that with us-oh snap! 🙂 Blessings my friend.