March 7th, 2011

So I guess I am using this blog right now for practicing my Scripture memory verses since I am doing this study at the home of one of my friends on Tuesday evenings.

Farewell Jan. 17th, 2011

As you answered those questions in the following post, you exercised your will to forget not God's benefits. Pause and ask God's Spirit to empower you to follow through with your choice to forget not.
My friend, tell your soul "I will, I shall" forget not God's benefits. Use memory prompts to help you speak truths to your soul and to strengthen your choice to remember. As your thought closet is filled with the truth of God's benefits, your life will be ward-robed with His character. Happy pondering today!

Question #5

These are all simple ways to tell your soul to forget not, to look back and remember---and we all need them. Otherwise our thought closets get crammed with lies, clutter, and worries.

I don't think Asaph had pebbles in his pocket, or sticky notes, but I do know he had one accessory in his thought closet that helped him to remember, and you have the same accessory---the ability to choose. He chose to remember, disciplined himself to remember, and willed his soul to remember.

Read what Asaph wrote in Psalms 77:6, 11, 12. In your Bible, circle each time he said "I will" or "I shall."

Psalm 77:6 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁶ I remembered my songs in the night.
   My heart meditated and my spirit asked: 

Psalm 77:11 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:12 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹² I will consider all your works
   and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 

What song will you remember tonight?

What will you dwell on and ponder today?

What deeds of God will you remember today?

What wonder of God will you intentionally recall today?

Which of God's works or deeds will you muse on today?

  

Question #4

What else could you do to prompt your memory to recall God's benefits?

Question #3

I use several things to help me forget not God's benefits and to keep my thought closet in order. One is a beautiful stone with a deep thumb-sized impression in its center. My dad used to say it was from him constantly rubbing his thumb on the rock as he worried about me. He gave it to me when I was in my teens as a reminder that I could cast all my worries on God because God cared for me.
When I began speaking and teaching, I carried the special pebble in my purse or pocket to help ease my nerves. Whenever I'd search my purse or put my hands in my pockets, I'd feel the stone, and it would remind me not to worry.
What do you use to help you remember truth and what really matters? Do you carry photos? Do you keep Scripture verses or quotes posted in your home or office?

Describe your memory prompts and how they remind you of God's benefits.

Question #2

The Israelites gathered stones from Jordan and built an altar so when their children asked, they could both remember and teach the children the benefits of God. Do you realize your memories provide the same opportunity? That's why we must tell our souls "forget not." It behooves us to glean the profit from each memory so we grant our loved ones a right assumption about the character of God, even in the painful memories. 

Do you have an emblem or keepsake that expresses to your family the benefits of God? If so, describe it. If not, think of one. Pull it out and describe it so you can explain to your family what it represents.

Question #1

Picking up with our "stones of remembrance"

According to Joshua 4:3-9, 20-21, what is another reason for having "stones" of remembrance?

Joshua 4:3-9 (New International Version, ©2010)

³ and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”

 ⁴ So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, ⁵ and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, ⁶ to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ⁷ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” 

Joshua 4:20-21 (New International Version, ©2010)

²⁰ And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ²¹ He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’

Good Morning Jan. 17th, 2011

Father I come to you in the name of Jesus Your Son. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Father please bless our digital time together and help Michele and me to heal from our foot injuries. Also, I pray that Michele finds the time to get caught up in this study. Amen.

Farewell Jan. 13th, 2011

God consistently prompted His people in Scripture to remember and commemorate His benefits, most often with the use of stones. They rested on the shoulder of the ephod, acknowledging the 12 tribes. Stones were the first host of the written law of God; stones formed altars, and they were even used to represent a covenant in Genesis 31:44-54. 

Genesis 31:44-64 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁴⁴ Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.”

 ⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. ⁴⁶ He said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. ⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.^[a]

 ⁴⁸ Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” That is why it was called Galeed. ⁴⁹ It was also called Mizpah,^[b] because he said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. ⁵⁰ If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”

 ⁵¹ Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me. ⁵²⁵³ May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me.

   So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. ⁵⁴ He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there.

 ⁵⁵ Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.^[c]

 ^{Monday we will pick up our conversation about "Stones of Remembrance" Have a good weekend. ~Judy}

Question #8

Sometimes we are truly forgetful and sometimes we just choose not to remember. Remembering is a discipline that takes effort and focus. That's why God commanded remembrance and even provided ways to help His people remember. 
In the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy, God urged His people at least eight times not to forget what He had done for them. He told them to remember sixteen times. His reminders are like sticky notes or maybe even neon signs to help us reinforce and recall God's benefits, especially when our thought closets get cluttered or dim.

What did God have the nation of Israel use to prompt their memory? Read Exodus 28:9-12 and Deuteronomy 27:1-7 for  a hint!

Exodus 28:9-12 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁹ “Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel ¹⁰ in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. ¹¹ Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings ¹² and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. 

Deuteronomy 27 (New International Version, ©2010)

Deuteronomy 27

The Altar on Mount Ebal

 ¹ Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: “Keep all these commands that I give you today. ²³ Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. ⁴ And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. ⁵ Build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool on them. ⁶ Build the altar of the LORD your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God. ⁷ Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God. ⁸ And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.” When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the LORD your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster.

Question #7

What do you think causes you to remember certain things and forget others?

Question #6

The first assessment simply shows how good you perceive your memory to be. But the two that follow tell a lot about what you "choose" to remember.

What do the number values in your last two posts reveal about your true ability to remember?

Question #5

When it comes to successes, compliments, or God's benefits, how good is your memory?
Same point system 1 being poor, 1 being excellent.

Question #4

When it comes to criticism or past failures, rate your ability to remember. Same point values. 1 being poor, and 10 being excellent.

Question #3

We can be forgetful, can't we? Though our closets are brimming with profitable memories and God's benefits, it can be hard to recall them when our minds are crammed, lives are busy, and circumstances get difficult.

Rate your ability to remember by posting the number between 1-10 that closely matches you---1 being poor, 10 being excellent.

Question #2

Ashes, mourning, and despair---those words well describe some of our memories, don't they? But to have a thought-closet makeover, we must speak to our souls what God says about those memories---beauty, gladness, and praise! 
My sweet friend, garments of beauty, gladness, and praise can hang on broken hangers. When you assign a truthful, beneficial meaning to a memory, you label it as something profitable, and it allows you to more clearly see God's benefits. If you don't label a painful memory with meaning, it will retain a negative connotation.
The meaning I finally assigned to my "roses" memory was this---yes, I felt awkward and self-aware. But I have grown to understand that as I am less self-absorbed, I am less self-conscious. God has grown bigger in my thought closet, and it helps me to keep shrinking! So, now "roses" remind me of the Rose of Sharon who blooms so lovely within me. (Isa.35:1)
I have one disclaimer though: When I speak of recalling painful memories, I am speaking of those you can manage. Some truly horrific memories are stowed in our thought closets and bring us utter agony---horrible situations of abuse, trauma, or cruelty. My friend, it that's true of you, please know that often those types of memories require you to seek professional Christian Counseling. Do that so you can be on the path of healing.
When you look back at profitable memories, both pleasant and painful, note God's benefits. When was the last time you told your soul to "forget not"? You soul needs such prompting. Otherwise you can too easily focus only on today, this moment, this worry, this problem. Yet our memories of God's benefits are just as compelling and every bit as real.
Now is a good time to give it a try. Say to your soul, "Soul, remember the good things God has done." Now put the rest of your world on hold for a few moments an simply ponder the thought. If you have trouble, step outside and feel the breeze, breathe the fresh air, feel the sunlight fall gently on your skin, or listen to the chirp of a bird or the rustle of leaves in the wind. Just glance through the shelves in your thought closet. Muse over some of your memories.

In a new post, type some graffiti to describe God's benefits. Note memories, realities---anything that helps you remember God's benefits.

Question #1 Jan. 13th, 2011

Picking up where we left off with Jeremiah in Lamentations. 

Jeremiah remembered a painful memory in Lamentations 3.
He said he chose to remember (vv.21-23) The result gave him belonging and hope (v.24). Jeremiah showed us how to handle memories. Acknowledge the tough time. Remember God's benefit in it, and let our soul speak truth about that memory. Do you have some dusty old books in your closet you've tried to forget because they are so painful? Pull them out and ask God to shine the light of His truth on them. He can give meaning and make even painful memories profitable.

Lamentations 3:21-24 (New International Version, ©2010)

²¹ Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:

 ²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
   therefore I will wait for him.” 

Isaiah 61:3 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3 shows what God can do with painful memories. Let's give some bins in our thought closet some labels. Post the meaning God can give to even your hardest memories. 

Bin #1- He will give me___________instead of ashes.
Bin #2- He will give me the _______instead of mourning.
Bin #3- He will give a ________instead of a spirit of despair. 

Good Morning Prayer Jan. 13th, 2011

Father we come to You in the Name of Jesus. Thank you for this day. Please bless our digital time together and help us heal in any area we need healing. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Amen. 



Ps. 19:14

Farewell Jan. 12th, 2011

Tomorrow we will look at Jeremiah and a painful memory he tried to forget in Lamentations. Then we will look at some painful memories that we try to forget. Until tomorrow think "Benefits!"

Question #7

Wow, what amazing benefits! Tell your soul to remember those benefits and look to see how they sometimes come in the packages of rough times and difficult memories. 

Can you think of a painful memory that reminds you of God's benefits? Describe and note which benefit verse in the previous post best applies.

Question #6

God's benefits can be a part of both our pleasant and painful memories. If we speak truth to our souls concerning even our painful memories, we can experience God's profit.

List in a post the "benefits" of God that the psalmist noted to his soul in Psalm 103, verses 3,4,&5

Psalm 103:3-5 (New International Version, ©2010)

³ who forgives all your sins
   and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
   and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Question #5

Does your self talk make the memory more powerful or strip it of its power?

Question #4

Some of the memories you noted are pleasant and no doubt some are painful. In my thought closet, I have one book with the word roses written on it. In college the professors in our psychology department invited me to their conference room and surprised me with a bouquet of roses as a thank-you for helping with a week-long seminar. One would assume I would ooze with the graciousness that Mrs. Jolly, my wonderful, proper mother, had installed in me. But no! Instead, filled with awkward self-awareness, I wilted, mumbled a barely audible "Thank you," and quickly asked, "May I go now?" Yes, that was it---the entire conversation. Embarrassing!
At the grand age of 22, I acted like a socially awkward middle-school girl. I behaved immaturely, and I have never forgotten it! For that reason, I used to tell myself, Idiot! How could you act that way? That memory always had some pretty destructive self-talk attached to it, and I saw no profit or benefit. 
Now that you've had a bleak peak into my thought closet, turn back to your own.


Remembering the "book labels" from your previous post, write what kind of self-talk you've attached to the memory.

Is what you say to yourself, especially the painful memories, destructive or constructive?

Question #3

I think our recollections become friends when we learn from them and allow them to represent God's benefits. They turn into enemies when we avoid, glorify or ignore them. 
So which books should you pull from the shelves to review? Here is your guiding principle---tell your soul to look back only to what is profitable. Let's examine what that means. 


In a post write some key words to represent some of your most vivid, shaping memories. Picture these as the "book titles" of the books sitting on the shelves of your thought closet.

*Note*

I got called into work early today because of the snow....so I will finish tomorrow.

Quesiton #2

This week we're going to do the same: we're going to tell our souls to bless the Lord and forget not His benefits so our thought closets will be teeming with praise and profitable memories. Let's begin with "forgetting not!" Memories can be our best associates or our worst adversaries.

What do you think makes the difference between the memories becoming friends or foes?

Question #1 Jan. 11th, 2011 (The Library In Your Mind)

Sneak a peak into Lisa Whelchel's thought closet...

My friend Lisa is an actor, speaker, and author of several books including the massively popular Creative Correction. She's learned to remember God first in her thoughts and make Him the center of her thought closet. She's one actor who no longer rehearses her conversations or accomplishments.
"I've had imaginary dialogues in my head, between me and people whose approval I seek---the Lord has really asked me to stop having those conversations. If I want to talk about them, He asks me to turn them into prayer, a conversation with Him. I feel I can do that with Him. I can rest in the safety of how He feels about me enough to not be perfect. I think with other people and even with myself, I want to be perfect, and I will make sure I have rehearsed or thought through everything I said or want to say so that I can give that appearance. But with the Lord, I don't feel that need. I don't have to have it all together. It really has been awareness of those inner-conversations that has helped me take my thoughts to the Lord as prayers."


English author Aldous Huxley compared our memories to private collections of literature. Your thought closet is like a library full of the stories of your life. When you pull a book from the shelf, it might produce a smile or nostalgic longings for yesterdays. You might even wish you could remove it.
Our memories hold countless pages of stories, thoughts, and pictures. So what does this have to do with what you say to yourself? Thank you for asking! I will gladly tell you. 


Pour yourself a cup of coffee and turn to Psalm 103. What did the psalmist say to his soul in verse 2?

Psalm 103:2 (New International Version, ©2010)

² Praise the LORD, my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits—

Good Morning Prayer Jan. 11th, 2011

Good Morning Lord, Please bless out digital time together today. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Please heal our feet Lord. Amen.




Ps.19:14

Farewell Jan. 10th, 2011

If you posted that your answer was anything other than yes, stop and ask God's Spirit to make you aware of what you say to yourself and to guide you into truth.
Don't assume hard, truthful words are not water words. We sometimes need to use scalding hot water to clean a wound, and freezing cold water prevents swelling. Water words are the same to our souls. They are always gracious and true, but they may hurt for a moment. The result is a brighter, healthier thought closet. Here's your standard: Water words are truthful and ultimately make it well with your soul.


As you finish today, write one of the following passages on a note card. Meditate on it and may it keep things cool in your thought closet.

Psalm 29:11 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹¹ The LORD gives strength to his people;
   the LORD blesses his people with peace. 

Philippians 4:7 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Question #8

From what you know about the character of God, would He use the water words you just posted when talking to you? If you are not sure, call your accountability partner and read them to her. We all need wisdom to recognize and speak truth, and we need to be accountable to our sisters in Christ to walk in truth. 

Are you a woman of peaceful water words? Do you rightly speak the gently answers of truth to your soul? 

• Yes
• No 
• Sometimes

Question #7

Water words can bring peace and calm. They make feelings settle down and allow emotions to find proper perspective. Water words are truthful and full of discretion, grace, and mercy. They don't condemn. They encourage and cleanse.
Truthful, refreshing water words will safeguard against fires in your thought closet and nourish the places where you feel barren needing the fruitfulness of God's truth. So take a moment and post the water words your soul most needs to hear today. Make sure they are gracious and true. Here are some of mine...

"You are a jar of clay with a treasure inside."
"Good try."
"Way to go."
"You are fearfully and wonderfully made."
"You don't have to be perfect."

Question #6

What do you say to yourself that brings you peace?

Question #5

Your thought closet doesn't need gasoline! It needs the water of the Word. So continue in your closet consideration. 

What settles you down when you feel angry (besides chocolate)?

Question #4

Does your soul talk unwisely stir up anger? If you're not sure, then think about how you speak to others. Often those who are harsh and quick to judge others turn that same flammable intolerance on themselves. Gasoline words rarely express mercy. Don't speak those words to or about others, and my friend, please don't speak them to your own soul either. Take a moment to ask God's Spirit to counsel you in this area and guide you into truth. You may be a woman with an "issue" of anger. Jesus made the woman with the issue of blood whole because of her faith. Reach out to Jesus in faith.

Post a journal of what He shows you.

Question #3

Can you think of a time when the gasoline (harsh) words you spoke to yourself stirred up your anger? Describe that time:

Question #2

Gasoline words always make things worse. When we are quick to judge, to accentuate flaws and to criticize, our words make flickers burst into flames and emotions spiral.

What does Proverbs 15:1 say results from harsh words?

Proverbs 15:1 (New International Version, ©2010)

Proverbs 15

 ¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath,
   but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Question #1 Jan. 10th, 2011

Picking up where we left off by being spiritually alert of our weaknesses so that we are more aware than our Enemy.

Let's begin with the gasoline words we say to ourselves. Make your own list of gasoline words. Here are some of mine:

You always...
You never...
You should have....
You ought to...
and the ever popular, "Idiot!"

Post a list of your gasoline words.

Good Morning Prayer Jan, 10th, 2011

Good morning Lord, Please bless our digital time together. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Be with Michele and I as we need healing in our feet. Amen.

Note for Friday Jan. 7th, 2011

I decided to keep Friday my off day, even with the Bible study. I will be posting questions Mon. through Thurs. and on Friday I will go in and put my answers from the day before like I usually do, but not post new questions that day. I am really behind around the house because of peak and I have a lot to catch up on. So for now, four days a week will be good. I still have not put away my Christmas decorations. So I will see you on Monday! Have a great weekend. ~Judy

Farewell, Jan. 6th, 2011

If we are going to be spiritually alert and guard the thought closet, we must be more aware of our weaknesses then the Enemy. Tomorrow we will talk more about our gasoline words.

Queston #8

What situations trigger frustration or ignite anger?

Question #7

If we don't stay vigilant in holding up the shield of faith, one of the Enemy's fiery darts can get in. Its simmering embers will stay in our thought closets, waiting to grow if we let them.
Perhaps when you tuned in to Satan's custom-made schemes, you may have determined it was anger he uses against you. When your anger rises, what you say to yourself will either be a weapon for Satan to use against you or a balm that promotes greater soul stillness.
Those internally spoken words you use at such crucial moments will be like water or like gasoline. You know what happens to a flame if its doused with water and what happens if you throw some gasoline on it.
So what do you say to yourself? What do you throw on those smoldering emotions? Do you settle yourself down with soothing words of truth or do you stoke the fire with accusations, bitterness, and self-pity?
Let's do a little closet consideration:


What kind of words ignite your anger?

Question #6

James said that we have desires that battle within us. We all have what it takes to erupt and the potential for our inner volcano to blow its top. We all have the potential to ignite the smoldering embers within us and create a bigger fire. Anger doesn't occur outside our thought closet. We don't have to invite it in because the raw material is already there.

How do you think it got there?

Question #5

We have the potential, when under the wrong conditions, to explode. 

What does James 4:1 say about our fiery potential?

James 4:1 (New American Standard Bible)

James 4

Things to Avoid

 ¹What is the source of quarrels and ^(A)conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage ^(B)war in your members?

Question #4

The kind of anger we have been considering is the fruit of rebellion, the opposite of submitting, and the net result of selfishness. That means if we haven't tuned in to our sin and the Enemy, if we have not held high the shield of faith, we most likely have the sparks of anger in our thought closets....hmmmm. Agree?

Question #3

And may i say something to my mellow, unruffled, easy-going friends? Just because you don't express anger in an overt way, like an overheated, menopausal, stressed-out woman, it doesn't mean you don't experience anger. In fact, it would probably be wise to define what anger truly is.

How would you describe anger?

Question #2

My friend, be still. Quiet your soul before God. Let the sweet fruit of righteousness bloom from your thought closet. Accept
what He allows and trust Him with what you don't understand or prefer. Trust me, you don't want a thought closet full of anger or else you will clothe your life with its ugly attire.

Let's put the truth about the reality of anger in the closet so it will encourage you to quiet your soul. 

Fill in the blanks by looking up the verses...

I am greater than the mighty if I am__________________.
Anger resides in the bosom of _______________________.
My anger does not achieve___________________of God.
When I'm angry I should not _______________________.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁹ Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
   for anger resides in the lap of fools. 

James 1:19-20 (New International Version, ©2010)

Listening and Doing

 ¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

Ephesians 4:26 (New International Version, ©2010)

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 

Proverbs 16:23 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
   and their lips promote instruction.^[a]

 

Question #1

Picking up where we left off yesterday with the destructive "Be" statements we tell ourselves.

List the fruits that are produced from your destructive "Be____" statements that you tell yourself when life changes.

For example, if I tell myself, "Be self-protective," I bear the fruit of being isolated or defensive.

Good Morning Prayer Jan. 6th, 2011

Father, Please bless out digital time together. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength, and our redeemer. Father heal our feet! Thank you for my husband who is 48 years old today!

Farewell Jan. 4th, 2011

What you say to your soul matters. Those patterns get tucked in your thought closet and you wardrobe your life with them. Does your life show the fruit of those "be" statements that don't belong in your thought closet? Are the tight-fitting wardrobe of control, the drab garb of depression, the stiflingly stiff suit of legalism, or the red-hot smock of rage sometimes the dressings of your life because you have anger rather than acceptance in your thought closet?  Tomorrow we will look at the results of those phrases that shouldn't be in your thought closet.

Question #7

Post any "be" phrases from you previous post that belong in your thought closet---that are true and constructive.

Then look at the ones that are left, they are the ones that don't belong in your thought closet---phrases that are not true and are destructive. 

Question #6

Think about what you say to your soul when life changes. Do you say, "Be still," or do you say "Be angry," "Be resistant," or "Be self-protective"?

Post several phrases that you say most often.

"Be ____________________________________."

Question #5

The original Hebrew word for "still" in Psalm 46 (KJV) pictures a physical position. It's like letting your body go limp or relaxing the grip of your hand. It simply means you quiet yourself by acknowledging He is God and His ways rule.
Do you trust Him like a weaned child trusts his mother? Do you show resolve to His ways even when they aren't your ways? Do you trust Him if He changes up you structure, your security or points out your selfishness? 

Consider these questions and journal a little about them in a post.

Question #4

A weaned child is reconciled to a new way of feeding and new sources of nourishment. That's how our souls are to be. We are to reconcile ourselves to the challenge of our security, the change in structure, and the cutting off of selfishness if God so deems. Matthew Henry put it this way, "When our condition is not to our mind, we must bring our mind to our condition." 
The context of this psalm reveals that David never positioned himself for kingship; God anointed and appointed him. He compared himself manageable and governable by God for whatever God chose for him--whether king or shepherd. 
David's comparison denotes he was well-reconciled to the position and state God saw fit. How about you? Are you "stilled and quieted" before God (NIV)? There can be no real peace in your thought closet until you are. What about some of those unchangeable labels we discussed in week 2? Have you told your soul to "be still" about that label or do you harbor a little resistance in your thought closet? 
The reason stilling our souls brings peace and calm into our thought closets is because it puts us in a position of acceptance rather than anger and deference rather than defiance.

Read Psalm 46:10 and post how God expects us to behave before Him:

Psalm 46:10 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

Question #3

Let's think about why David compared his stilled soul to a weaned child. Most babies are a little cross and frustrated when the weaning process begins. It challenges their structure, their selfishness, and their security. But David compared his still soul to a child who has already been weaned.

What do you think he meant?

Question #2

The phrase within this particular song of ascent compares David's soul stillness to what?

• a little child
• a weaned child
• a submissive child
• a good child

 

Question #1

I like to sing to my soul, "Be still." It's calming at those times when the lion's fiery darts get lodged in my thought closet and I need a little relief! You may find it interesting what telling your soul to "be still" can accomplish. Pour yourself a cup of calming tea and ask God's Spirit to teach you today. The exact phrase "Be still, my soul" isn't a scriptural quote, but the principle of being still and calming down is throughout the Bible. We must know what to say when we talk to ourselves, and telling ourselves the scriptural truth of "be still" is imperative. Evidently, that's what David did.

Read Psalm 132:2 and post what David said he had done.

Psalm 131:2 (New International Version, ©2010)

² But I have calmed and quieted myself,
   I am like a weaned child with its mother;
   like a weaned child I am content.

Good Morning Prayer Jan. 4th, 2011

Father God, I come to You in the name of Jesus and I thank you for this day. I pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the close to 8,000 women joining Beth Moore in Scripture memorization this year. Do a mighty work in the lives of these women. Please bless our digital time together today Lord. I pray that my sister will join us today. I pray that the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts will be acceptable to You, O Lord, our strength, and our redeemer. I also pray for quick healing for our tired and hurting feet. Amen.

Farewell Jan. 3rd, 2011

Girl, be alert to the real Enemy. Talk to yourself about his tactics and tell your soul to tune in. The next time he roars and throws the fiery darts of lies, hold up your shield of faith and tell the truth! Remind your soul the One who lives within you is greater than the one who roars at the door!
Now mind your strategies today. Be prayerful, be accountable, and walk by faith. Go for it!

Question #8

Faith is the shield that protects us from being destroyed by the fiery darts of our Enemy. The Enemy grabs a lie from hell. It has just enough fire attached to it that it really stings. He hurls it our way with a big roar, and without the shield of faith, our thought closet is unprotected. Those fiery lies just sail right in the door and their flames remain as flickering embers, waiting for just the right (or wrong) self-talk to ignite them. The lion roars lies that often feel true. But when he roars lies, we hold up the shield of faith and speak truth!

Copy and paste the truths that best apply to your needs today as you can stand against the Enemy's lies. These are "faith" statements, not "feeling" statements. You can hold up your shield of faith by speaking these faith statements of truth. 

When the lion roars, "God doesn't listen to you," 

I say Psalm 145: 18-19

Psalm 145:18-19 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him,
   to all who call on him in truth.
¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
   he hears their cry and saves them. 

When the lion roars, "You have no value or purpose,"

I say Isaiah 43:1-2

Isaiah 43:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

Isaiah 43

Israel’s Only Savior

 ¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze. 

When the lion roars, "Your problem is unfixable"
I say Jeremiah 32:17

Jeremiah 32:17 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹⁷ “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 

When the lion roars, "You are abandoned,"

I say Romans 8:31

Romans 8:31 (New International Version, ©2010)

More Than Conquerors

 ³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

When the lion roars, "You are a loser,"
I say Romans 8:37

Romans 8:37 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

When the lion roars, "You have blown it, God can't accept you," I say Romans 8:38 & 39

Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version, ©2010)

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ 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.

Footnotes:
Romans 8:38 Or nor heavenly rule

 

When the lion roars, "nobody cares about you,"

I say 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (New International Version, ©2010)

Praise to the God of All Comfort

 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

When the lion roars, "you have no willpower,"
I say 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Question #7

We need to use the mighty spiritual offensive weapons to destroy lies and pull down strongholds that oppose the truth of God. 

But what does Ephesians 6:16 say our best defensive weapon is?

Ephesians 6:16 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Quesion #6

Based on the results, do those spiritual weapons seem to be offensive or defensive?

Question #5

Trusting God more than trusting your feelings and abilities is a preeminent strategy for protecting your thought closet against the fiery lies of the Enemy. Girl, the battle is always spiritual, and we must fight that battle with spiritual weapons. 


What does 2Corinthians 10:4-5 tell us our weapons can accomplish?

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Question #4

Strategy #4: Faith

Remember what Jesus told the women with the issue of blood? He said it was her_____________that made her whole (Mark 5:34)




 

Question #3

Don't isolate yourself--it isn't safe. My friend, sometimes it is pride that keeps us at arm's length from others. Can I be honest? You're not perfect and neither is the accountability buddy you desperately need. Don't deceive yourself. Allow the light of truth to flood your thought closet right now and reveal what you need most. Is it really self-protection at the expense of rich relationship? I think not. Be a big girl and call a buddy!

Question #2

The three stranded cord is not "me, myself and I!" It's you, a buddy, and Jesus. So place yourself in relationship with someone with whom you can be honest and accountable. I encourage you to call a "Bible study buddy."

Do you have an accountability partner? 

• yes
• no

If so, post her name here and write a prayer of protection against the Enemy for her.


If not, ask God to reveal whom you could call and then ask Him to grant you courage. Copy and paste the following for your answer:
I will call________________and ask her to enter into accountability with me on ____/____/____. Thank You, Lord, for giving me courage to become accountable and enter into prayerful agreement with her.

Question #1

Last time we met we left off with Strategy #1 which was prayer. Today we pick up with strategy #2 which is
ACCOUNTABILITY

The enemy goes for the solitary and the silent. You already speak silent words to yourself, and they can remain tools of the enemy if you don't confess them to God and make yourself accountable to a friend. If you keep speaking silent lies to yourself, you are providing the enemy with the weapons he most wants to use against you. Unconfessed sin and unacknowledged weakness are what he can use to destroy you. Don't give him weapons; give him a united front and a fight!

What does Ecclesiastes 4:12 suggest about the power of relationships?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹² Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Good Morning Prayer Jan, 3rd, 2011

Good morning Lord, Please bless our digital time together and help us remember where we left off. Let the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength, and our redeemer. Amen.