TRULY, I BELIEVE TOGETHER WE CAN MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND THIS YEAR.
IF YOU’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, WELCOME BACK!
IF YOU ARE NEW, WELCOME! (Newcomers — go to Dee’s homepage, click Bible Study Blog on the top, and then look for this picture, click on it, and it will give you easy directions to participate.)
THOUGH IT IS TRUE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TEND TO BE BROKEN,
I THINK THAT IS BECAUSE WE ATTACK THE SYMPTOM AND NOT THE ROOT.
We resolve to spend less, eat less, get less angry.
Or, we resolve to be more like Jesus and give more grace, be more other-centered,
live more simply…
But we seem to break all those resolutions.
MY BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR 2016 IS:
FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS I WILL CONCENTRATE ON SOME OF THE LIFE-CHANGING INSIGHTS FROM SCRIPTURE THAT WILBOURNE BRINGS.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH WILBOURNE’S DEFINITION OF A TRUE BELIEVER.
MANY PEOPLE, IF ASKED TO DEFINE WHAT A CHRISTIAN IS,
WOULD TELL YOU IT IS FOLLOWING THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS.
YOU ASK YOURSELF, “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?” AND TRY TO DO IT.
AND WHILE THAT IS NOT WITHOUT MERIT,
THE FUNDAMENTAL ERROR IS THAT IT ASSUMES CHRIST
IS OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES,
AND THAT LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE MEANS TRYING,
WITH ALL OUR MIGHT, TO DO WHAT HE DID.
THAT APPROACH FAILS, AND LEADS NOT TO JOY,
BUT TO MISERY AND DESPAIR, FOR, A FEW DAYS INTO THE NEW YEAR,
OUR BUDGET, OUR DIET, AND OUR GOOD INTENTIONS HAVE FAILED AGAIN!
WE HAVE NO POWER IN OURSELVES.
WE SIMPLY CANNOT DO IT ALONE.
CONSIDER:
THE WORD CHRISTIAN OCCURS ONLY 3 TIMES IN SCRIPTURE.
THE PHRASE “IN CHRIST” OCCURS AROUND 165 TIMES.
THIS PHRASE BETTER GRASPS THE SECRET.
THIS IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT!
BY CONTEMPLATING THIS MYSTERY,
ALLOWING IT TO SOAK INTO OUR VERY BONES,
AND RAISE US FROM THE DEATH OF TRYING TO DO IT OURSELVES
TO JOYFUL VICTORY IN CHRIST!
WHAT IF THE ONLY RESOLUTION YOU MADE THIS YEAR WAS
TO CONCENTRATE, THROUGH THE DAY, ON KEEPING COMMUNION WITH CHRIST?
I BELIEVE YOU WOULD DISCOVER LUSH FRUIT BEGINNING TO APPEAR
IN YOUR VINEYARD.
YOU WILL NEED PATIENCE, SUCH AS AN ORCHARD KEEPER DOES,
BUT IF YOU PERSIST IN A LONG OBEDIENCE IN THE SAME DIRECTION,
AND AT THE END OF THIS YEAR,
SHOULD THE LORD ALLOW YOU ANOTHER YEAR,
YOU WOULD FIND YOURSELF ON HIGHER GROUND!
I KNOW MOST OF YOU ARE IN OTHER STUDIES, AND I WANT YOU TO DO THEM.
I WILL KEEP THESE STUDIES SHORT, WITH A LITTLE TO DO EACH DAY.
I WILL POST A NEW STUDY EVERY TWO WEEKS.
EACH OF US WILL STUMBLE, BUT WILL FIND STRENGTH FROM ANOTHER
WE WILL PERSIST, AND WE WILL, THROUGH THE MIGHTY POWER OF CHRIST,
AND OUR UNION WITH HIM AND ONE ANOTHER, GET TO HIGHER GROUND.
GIVE A HAND TO THE FAINT,
AND EXHORT ONE ANOTHER TO PRESS ON
TO TRUST NOT IN OUR OWN EFFORTS,
BUT IN CHRIST ALONE.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRFumI2ch0
Go at your own pace, but I’ve given you bite-sized assignments each day. This way you can keep up with your other studies. If you don’t have other studies, you can spend more time here. Read comments as you feel led.
SUNDAY, NEW YEAR’S DAY, 2017!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
MONDAY, JAN 2
2. Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence?
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5zkOfSJSn4
TUESDAY, JAN 3
Wilbourne quotes Aristotle who says “the soul never thinks without an image.” So the Word gives us images to show that Christianity, unlike the world religions, does not have a leader who is outside ourselves, but who, through His Spirit, lives in us, bringing rivers of living water welling up in our souls. Two images from the Word that help us begin to grasp this mystery are “the organic life of a plant” and “marriage.” A tree’s roots draw strength from the soil, and a branch draws strength from the vine. They are “one.” In the same way, a husband and a wife become “one.” Both of these metaphors permeate the Song of Songs. Watch the promotional video for my upcoming book, He Calls You Beautiful.
3. Take some time with this:
A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
B. How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
WEDNESDAY, JAN 4, 2017!
On a personal note, after this picture below was taken of me and 8 of my 13 grandchildren this Christmas, I thought about how my late husband Steve (born on Jan 4th!) wanted Psalm 128:3 on his tombstone.
(I forgot — but will remedy that on his stone some day!) Whether you have biological, adopted, or spiritual children — our marriage to Chirst, our union with Christ, can make us fruitful vines, helping the next generation to hear of HIs faithfulness and goodness. One day we will all be around His table.
This psalm combines the metaphor of marriage and the vine and has me PONDERING!
Our union and communion with Christ affects not only us, but generations to come.
5. Think about your children, for if we have known the Lord for a few years, we have spiritual children, people we are mentoring, or, you may have biological or adopted children/grandchildren. How does your life impact them? How could you pray for them today, show them Christ’s love, or mentor them?
6. What I pray for you is that each day you will get your soul “happy” in the Lord, as George Mueller put it. When will you “eat,” what will you “eat,” and where will you “eat”? (Planning a routine will help!)
Ponder this:
Thursday and Friday, January 5 and 6
THE TREE AND VINE METAPHORS
Psalm 1 and John 15 are key in helping us grasp communion in Christ. So we will begin 2017 with these pictures — and consider the marriage metaphor another time.
Let’s start with classic Keller on Psalm 1 — an image of a tree planted by rivers of living water — closely related to a branch abiding in the vine. Please listen to this and share your thoughts and comments. It will help you get started on the path toward joy in 2017. If you are running out of time, do it over the weekend!
7. Share your notes or reflections on Keller’s The Search for Happiness.
Saturday, Jan 7
8. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
Sunday, Jan 8
I was quickened when Keller talked about why we are tempted to lie, or to cheat, or to run elsewhere. We seek happiness above holiness, and yet holiness is what leads to happiness. Seek happiness and you lose it, seek holiness, seek righteousness, seek Christ — and happiness gets thrown in. This is like Jonathan Edward’s belief that “True human happiness cannot be found or experienced apart from God’s glory. “Therefore God’s glory and human flourishing are one and the same.” For example, when I refuse forgiveness from my heart, I do so, because I think it will make me happier. But indeed, if instead, I choose God’s glory, and forgive from my heart, to my surprise, I find joy seeping up into my bones. C. S. Lewis famously said the same:
Rankin Wilbourne shares the same in Union with Christ — and also does a wonderful job of showing how throughout the ages this is the secret the saints and the martyrs knew. Holiness is to be sought for it leads to joy and beauty. I am experiencing this. Sometimes I beat myself up that it took me so long to really grasp this — for I don’t have that much life left! Yet I am thankful to see it now and want to mentor younger women to discover it sooner than I did.
9. What thoughts do you have on the above?
10. How did you do in the first week of the new year? (Remember, we are not aiming for perfection but for, what Eugene Peterson calls, “a long obedience in the same direction.” This will lead to fruit in your vineyard. Did you keep shorter accounts with God? Did you draw near to Him? If not, what would He tell you?
MONDAY, JAN 9
Prepare your heart with this from Kim Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0DVrTk80Ps
11. Read Psalm 1, remembering that “blessed” is another word for “happy.” What is the main point of this psalm and how will you apply it?
TUESDAY, JAN 10
12. Look at Psalm 1 again
A. You may have already memorized this psalm — if so, review it. If not, or even if you have, choose a verse that quickens you and meditate on it day and night. What did you choose and what reflections do you have?
B. Has the Word become a “delight to you?” If so, why? If not, find heart in knowing it is an acquired taste, and it will be if you persist in a long obedience in the same direction.
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY JAN 11-13 2017
(On a personal note I am speaking in the prison/hospital in Houston for the rest of the week and covet your prayers!)
Prepare your heart with this from John Michael Talbot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHr7Z7ZS3GE
13. Read John 15:1-5
A. What does Jesus say in verse 1? Meditate on this and share what you see.
B. There is a pattern in John where Jesus differentiates between false shepherds and Himself, the good shepherd. He differentiates between attempting to come to God through others ways and through Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now He says He is the “True vine,” implying we may try to get our sustenance from false vines. Consider ways you have tried to get guidance, help, or sustenance in false ways in 2016. How could this year be different?
C. Why is a branch not able to bear fruit unless it is connected to the vine?
D. Psalm 1 might lead us to believe that all we need to do is meditate — and even this passage might make us think all we need to do is to be in the Word. Yet it is possible to hear the Word and not obey. What does Jesus add in verse 10, and what are the promises in 10 and 11?
E. What similarities do you see between Psalm 1 and John 15?
SATURDAY, JAN 14, 2017
14. What is your take-a-way this week and why?
357 comments
OH I am SO excited about this new journey that while I tried to make myself wait to post until tomorrow, and I don’t really like to be the first post–I couldn’t hold back!!
I am so LOVING this book, and having the Lord ever so slowly begin to open my eyes to this truth…as my husband and I were reading it last night, he said how much this concept, our union with Christ, reminded him of what Dee has taught us in the Song. I am intrigued at how our union with Christ joins His extravagant grace with our call to obedience–I don’t have the words yet–but I feel a joy I haven’t before, and truly a renewed sense of life WITH, IN, Christ!
It truly IS a HAPPY new year!! Thank you Dee, for your grace-filled, truth-soaked teaching! I LOVE LOVE the grandkids + Dee pic! *One edit–I don’t like the part where you say “I don’t have that much life left!” 😉
Lizzy — you open our New Year with joy and anticipation! And it’s great how you and your husband are reading Union with Christ together. I so want to read books that help me grow deeper in Him, and this is certainly one.
Thinking about what you said, “I actually have eternity left!” 🙂
Lizzy, I totally agree! I have started the book already also (on chapter 10!) As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, it actually puts in to words exactly what I have wanted to…some churches have gone the all grace, don’t worry about how you live your life route, others are legalistic. Rankin tells us that in Christ it is 100% grace and 100% holiness! He articulates this so well
This new study is going to fit in perfectly with my new ‘livet’! I had recently decided since diets are hopeless–with God’s help, I went on a ‘livet’ instead.
Paula — formerly from Wisconsin! Welcome fellow Wisconsinite, fellow diet struggler — excited to have you here and see what communion with Christ will do!
Happy New Year. Thanks for your Faithfulness in sharing Christ! Carol
Thank you, Carol!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
First, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!! As I was spending time in His Word and praying earlier today, I was thinking that I so want this year to be different; I want to be different. I want to be more thankful, grateful; I want to love others well and be more intentional; I want to shed my heart idols of comfort/security and approval and control. I want to be less selfish and to not hold back from entering into the mess of others’ lives, into their suffering. And I always think of Rebecca’s metaphor of “rocks in the stream” that get in the way. I thought of the Holy Spirit in me being like a well of water that should be free to move, but I have a lot of “rocks” that create “dams” that stop the flow. I told God that I want Him to be able to live His life through me. And what I read here this morning confirms this. It can’t be about me trying harder to do it myself. I can’t. I’ve made those resolutions before and haven’t kept them.
This truly sounds hopeful: “What if the only resolution you made this year was to concentrate, through the day, on keeping communion with Christ?” Yes, this is hopeful! Not a long list of resolutions that I will try to keep. And know that I won’t. Not trying harder, working harder, trying to change myself. This really reminds me of The Song of Songs, and the study I’m still working through by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. Dee mentioned the vineyard metaphor above, and (I just went and got my study notes)Nancy had a section on SOS 1:6-7, where she points out how the bride says “My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.” Nancy asked, “Are you living and laboring in the vineyard of the law or the vineyard of grace? The demands of the law result in our laboring out of obligation, duty, and fear. But under the delights of love and grace, service is freely given out of love. Then, verse 7, “Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed….where you rest at noon….” Nancy said “the antidote for burnout is not to focus on myself; more time for me, but to focus on Jesus. Ask Him, Lord, where do You rest? Where are the green pastures and still waters You promised? I want to be there with You.” This all speaks of communion with Jesus; resting in His shade, and change and transformation happening from there. So different from “trying to be like Jesus”.
Thank you Dee for leading us in this New Year!
Wow, Susan. It gives me chills to see how clearly God is leading you through His Spirit, through what you are reading and listening to, and your own reflections. You are a mainstay here.
Oh, Susan, I love what you have shared her from your notes from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth! She has such depth! You seem to be gleaning such riches from her! You keep digging and learning and never giving up! It’s beautiful!
Susan, love what you wrote about the antidote for burnout being time with Jesus; how counter_ cultural, when the world tries to convince us that what we need is ” me” time! And I admit, I’ve bought into that lie! I love the thought that the key to growth, to keeping the resolutions I have for spiritual growth lies in communion with Christ through out each day. I want to learn that, how to keep that, once my feet hit the floor and the demands of work press in and I lose my focus. I want to learn how to end my day as close to Christ, as spiritually charged, as I begin my day ( refreshed from quiet time, prayer). Looking forward to this study, Dee. Thank you for leading us deeper!
It will be great to have you Beth. Yes — to end the day as we begin it!
I hesitate to join in because I have started so many of your wonderful Bible studies and then, midway through, dropped out because of allowing other things to distract my attentions and affections. But, I have hope that my resolve to grow closer to Jesus and to truly be in Christ will keep me here.
What stood out to me is the truth and hope of concentrating “through the day” on keeping communion with Christ. I long to begin each day in His presence through prayer and the Word, even if it is while driving to work in the wee hours of the morning. Then the business of the day begins and it isn’t until I lie down to go to bed that I “concentrate” on Him again. There is such hope in knowing that He is with me every second of every minute of the day and if I would just truly take my thoughts captive and submit them to Him, I could conquer every temptation, lie, distraction, etc. that comes my way!
Thank you, Dee, for your faithfulness in sharing these studies.
Paige — you are picking yourself up and starting again. Let me pray for you.
Father, I pray You will let Paige know You are holding her, and that Your Spirit will envelope her, nudge her, and bring You to her remembrance throughout the day. May this be the time she stays with us! In Jesus name, I pray.
Hi Paige! It is good to have you here! :)) What you said resonates with so many of us. 🙂 We are so prone to wander yet He is in us and His mercies are new every morning.
I love when you said this, ” There is such hope knowing that He is with me every second of every minute of the day…and I love your honesty-” and if I would truly take my thoughts captive and submit them to Him..” I so understand about being busy as I am crazy busy too-pretty much single momming it with my husband working so many hours. 🙂
I am sure you are familiar with this since Dee has posted it but your post reminded me of this:
Batter my heart, three-person’d God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp’d town to another due,
Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv’d, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov’d fain,
But am betroth’d unto your enemy;
Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me. -John Donne
Oh and Paige..just to encourage you for I love your heart. When you said , “I hestiate”…I can SO relate for I hesitated this morning to join one of our women’s bible studies at church because of my time constraints and I don’t want to be pulled away from the blog having too much on my plate but since Dee is doing this every two weeks, it will fit wonderfully for me. I think satan had a big part in my hesitation to join the study at church this morning. It will take sacrifice to get to church on Tuesday nights and Wed nights for teen ministry and do my the blog study faithfully but I get up early in the morning to meet with Him. I tend to take WAY too much time just on one question here..so I am going to be more sensitive to His leading on which questions to spend the most time on. Dee’s studies are that good!
This blog and my study at church will be part of how I commune with Him. AND I picked a study, hopefully, that will melt my heart more for Him rather than a WWJD kind of study. 😉
!. What stands out: OH THIS: “WHAT IF THE ONLY RESOLUTION YOU MADE THIS YEAR WAS
TO CONCENTRATE, THROUGH THE DAY, ON KEEPING COMMUNION WITH CHRIST?
I BELIEVE YOU WOULD DISCOVER LUSH FRUIT BEGINNING TO APPEAR
IN YOUR VINEYARD.”
I am reading Union With Christ too and OH.
Rebecca — you mean so much to all of us here!
Thank you..and everyone here is such a gift to me. :)))
Rebecca, you are such an encourager and a cheerleader! I read your replies to Paige, and I know that you are “crazy busy”! I had to smile when I read how you spend “way too much time on just one question….” but then I thought, “that’s Rebecca….” because you are a woman of depth and you don’t want to just “get the lesson done”, you want more of HIM!
I’ve learned so much from YOU, and your metaphor (Idol Lies) of rocks in the stream is one that really sticks in my mind.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? Love the song “In Christ Alone” but oh, the book…I’m on chapter 10! 😀 Will happily go back and re-read certain parts, though. I feel like the Lord has been teaching me this exact truth (that in Christ it is both 100% grace and 100% holiness) but I have been unable to articulate it. Over the last 5 or 6 years I have read so many books on grace, and understanding His unconditional love has truly transformed my life and my thinking (and given me more grace for others!) but I also was always noticing that it seemed like some were leaving behind the call to a sanctified life. I didn’t quite know how to marry the two concepts but Rankin Wilbourne does a great job articulating this. So good to know that we are not a disappointment to Him, even when we fail miserably, but equally as good to know He does not want to leave us where we are, but to move us on to higher ground.
Happy New Year everyone! Whether we are to finish it out here on earth or in heaven!
Mary E — your faith and hope in the midst of your tremendous cancer battle inspires us all. Seems like the wisest of His children are those who have been through the fire and come out like gold.
I am in! I am tired of all the “trying” to be more like Christ. I can’t do it on my own. I have sensed that there is a different way and I think I am finally ready to throw the WHITE FLAG in. One goal in 2017…pursue Jesus…sounds like Heaven…although I suspect it won’t be an easy road. Thanks Dee..
Kim — so glad to have you with us! Yes, throw the white flag in! 🙂
Thank you Dee and Rebecca for taking time to encourage me and pray for me. Happy new year!
YOU TOO, PAIGE!
What stands out? That I am a very proud woman who likes to boast in myself. I’m like a two year old most days, ” I do it myself!” Grow up, Jean! I was most moved in today’s reading by the convict that I not only need Christ to live the Christian life but I also need fellow believers to support, encourage, and admonish me. im looking forward to this study and to all we will learn together!
Hey Jean — good to see you back!
1. What stands out?
Hard to limit it to one thing, Dee.
But the picture of the two mountain climbers is gripping. It immediately reminded me of Ken Gire’s book, North Face of God in which he parallels our lives to mountain climbing.
His prayer for a mountain climbing team:
Dear Lord,
Grant me a climbing team whose legs are strong, whose feet are sure, whose hands are always reaching out, holding on, lifting up.
Put people in my life I can trust, people I can rely on when the weather of my heart turns inclemently against me ; people who are not afraid of how dizzying the heights are, how precarious the footing, or how thin the air.
Give me friends with whom I can share breathtaking views as well as heartbreaking falls.
……….Give us all the strength to bear one another’s burdens, along with a sense of privilege – even a joy in doing so.
And give me grace to praise you in the heartbreaks, no matter how cold and broken the hallelujah.
Nila — that’s great from Ken Gire!
What a lovely, challenging prayer for Christian fellowship, Nila! Thank you for sharing it!
Love the prayer from K. Gire, Nila…should this book be added to the list of good books to read?
Nila, I appreciate Ken Gire…I believe he is the author of Windows of the Soul, which I have read. It’s a beautiful book, and I like what you shared from this book.
I just love the two words “in Christ”. Him in us and us in Him. Sometimes when I am struggling with things if I just recall these two words I seem to have a rush of peace come over me as if He’s saying, “Remember, I am in you” Gives me goosebumps. I have several times sat down and circles all the “in Hims” in my Bible and done some other studies but this comes at a very good time for me as I have recently struggled with some hurtful things that seemed to paralyze me perhaps for a time and I am still asking myself Why?
Thanks for this study.
So very glad to have you, Charmaine. Love this — sometimes when I am struggling with things if I just recall these two words (in Christ) a rush of peace comes over me.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“WHAT IF THE ONLY RESOLUTION YOU MADE THIS YEAR WAS
TO CONCENTRATE, THROUGH THE DAY, ON KEEPING COMMUNION WITH CHRIST?”
Happy New Year, everyone! I have ordered Wilbourne’s book. I am intrigued by this concept. I am eager to learn more. I have discovered that it really makes a difference in my life to spend time praying and contemplating Scripture at the beginning of my day. I try to focus on Jesus; every moment. Focus. Remember. Sometimes when I wake up early, I am bombarded by sadness, hurt, other emotional pain that has bubbled to the surface during the night. Many times I do not even know what is bothering me. I spend time praying, refocusing, giving the pain to Jesus, remembering who he is using the imagery of the Bible (my Shepherd, the Word, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, my Shepherd, Lover of my Soul) and remembering who I am (Chosen, Beloved).
Diane — you are a climber I want tethered to me! Strong, caring, and wise.
Dee, that is such a kind, gracious compliment! Thank you so much. I am happy to be tethered to you! I learn so much from your godly wisdom and tender heart! We learn from each other!
I didn’t get to pray for the people in your blog last week, Dee, so here is my prayer:
Thank You Lord, for Dee and her willingness to help us understand You better. Thank you for the people who participate here, both silently and written. Lord, continue to bless this place, this space Dee prepares for us, so we can know You well. We need You in our lives Dear One. Our lives are meaningless without You. Help us to see that Lord, and to show Your love to others so they may want to know You better also. Help us be good stewards of our faith; to completely accept all of the things we learn even though at times we may not like or feel able to carry out, what we learn. Thank You Lord for keeping us focused on You this year. Help us to care for each other well. Amen.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I suppose I should be excited for a new year, however I am kind of blah today. I usually don’t set New Year resolutions but this year I set 2: to write more letters to my children, and to listen well. Then, I read here that if I focus on one thing, Christ, all will fall into place. I do agree with this too. In fact it seems a bit freeing really. I don’t have to worry about breaking the resolution, do I? looking forward to this new model on the blog also.
Laura–love this: “In fact it seems a bit freeing really.”
and love your prayer for us too, amen!
Ditto to your prayer, Laura.
I agree that resolving to focus on union with Christ is freeing…I see this focus as the umbrella, the “big picture,” where if this is right, everything else falls into place one way or another… God’s will be done regardless of my finite understanding of the infinite God.
You go ahead and make all three! I honestly am in awe of you, Laura! Thanks for your good prayers.
Laura,
So encouraged by your heartfelt prayer here .
Thank you for your beautiful prayer, Laura. I love your resolution to write more letters to your children. When I write to my children, I often find I can express things that are difficult for me to do in person. My hope is that they will keep those letters and have them when I’m gone. (Funny story…my son Ryan often doesn’t open cards from me. When I ask him why, he says that he’s saving them to read after I die. I told him then he’ll have to write a book, something like “Letters from Mom”)
I just want to welcome all the new faces–great to have you all joining (and re-joining!) us! Hopeful for the new year!
Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!! 2 Cor. 5:17
So funny, I read this just in the last couple days….
1. What stands out to you from above?
Happy 2017, sisters! I too have been reading Wilbourne’s book… if Dee has it as her top book for 2016, that says a lot! Ironically, or not ☺, I was reading John Ortberg, “The Life you’ve Always Wanted”… the portion I am on discusses the differentiation between ” training” versus “trying hard,” he states that “spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely.” He clarifies this in terms of athletics… one trains for the race to be run; the athlete trains both physically and mentally. The idea of “trying” struck me because of the alignment… I can “try” as hard as I want, but without preparation my “trying” is for naught. I long for greater, richer union with the Lord…this is a very inviting theme for study.
Welcome to new participants!
I love John Ortberg too!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I asked my husband to come to my computer and look at the picture of Dee and her grandchildren. I said, “Isn’t that a darling photo?” At age 90, my husband doesn’t hear so well, and he didn’t understand at first that these were grandchildren. He asked “Where did she get them?” At first I thought he was referring to the matching outfits, but then realized he meant the children. “They are her grandchildren!” I exclaimed. Then a smile broke out on his face, and he said “Oh my, she’s been busy!” LOL I thought “You don’t know the half of it!”
Evidently I need to get with the program and order Union With Christ! Last year, Dee, you suggested The Songs of Jesus, the devotional book by Timothy Keller and his wife. I used that book faithfully through the whole year and it was such a blessing!! I dreaded seeing the end coming with that book, and I heartily recommend it even this year for someone who didn’t read it last year. It could be used any year — there are dates only, not days of the week.
I loved the video — thought it was very good. When we first started studying Song of Songs, most of us were pretty awed by it (near over-whelmity, I think!) The video made it sound inviting and above all, do-able!
Last but not least, I am so excited to see new friends popping up on this blog. Welcome to all of you!
Bing so glad you liked the video!
Now, Dee, you have me bent over with laughter — you have gotten me and Bing mixed up AGAIN! Actually, I don’t mind, if Bing doesn’t!
Deanna and Dee, Hahaha! No, I don’t mind being mixed up with Deanna. I just can’t get too much credit, though for all her good sermon notes that I have been saving. Smile. I did watch the promo video and love hearing your voice, Dee. And I love the cover you chose-I think I voted for that one!
I am a bit like some of us here, a little bit hesitant about committing to the study. The second semester is busier for me at school and I may not be able to put in the time to be consistent. But I will give it my best. I want to be a part of this community of believers and I want to pursue union and communion with Christ like I have never had before. I want to be on higher ground with you all! The Lord brought to mind a familiar hymn when I saw the first sentences of this study, Dee. And today at church, our pianist played one of the best rendition of the hymn! Talk about a kiss from the king.
I’m pressing on the upward way,New heights I’m gaining every day;Still praying as I onward bound,“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith on Canaan’s tableland;A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay;Though some may dwell where these abound,My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
I want to live above the world,Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;For faith has caught the joyful sound,The song of saints on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright;But still I’ll pray till rest I’ve found,“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
EACH OF US WILL STUMBLE, BUT WILL FIND STRENGTH FROM ANOTHER
WE WILL PERSIST, AND WE WILL, THROUGH THE MIGHTY POWER OF CHRIST,
AND OUR UNION WITH HIM AND ONE ANOTHER, GET TO HIGHER GROUND.
Once I get something in my head it is so tricky. Deanna — I’m so sorry. There is a guy at pickleball named Kent. I called him Clark for a year til he finally smiled at me one day and said, “Dee, it’s Kent.” But Clark still pops out. At least it is a flattering name association!
Ernema, this is for you, though I could not find a place to reply to your comment. Thanks for the words of the hymn, Higher Ground. It is so appropriate to this study!
am I missing something? What video?
I’m excited to do this with you all! It’s captured my attention right away – I think God’s got great things to show us through this!
Welcome Annie! My youngest is an Annie — so I should be able to keep your name straight!
I’d like to give this one a try! I’ll do my best. It looks sooooo good.
Oh my darling daughter — I would love it. Something we could share!
Yay Sally! Would absolutely LOVE to have you join us!!!
Happy New Year Ladies. It has been a while since I have posted. I truly have missed it but pray for the blog ladies and your families always.
What stood out to me is the reminder that I can’t do it alone. I also loved the part about being in communion with the Lord daily and by doing this your life will change. We were just talking about this in the Life Group my husband and I lead. We think that we can handle our lives but yet we know we can’t but still hesitate giving our lives completely to the Lord.
Good to have you back, Julie!
Sweet Julie, so good to have you back with us! 🙂
I love this blog, and so appreciate all of Dee’s hard work. I completed an adoption in 2016 of a 15 year old girl. The task has been greater than I ever imagined, but unmatched to the greatness of His grace which has been showered on me abundantly. Just when I thought that I could do no more, as I am already being a single mom, total breadwinner, and complete home schooler, all the while bonding with an international teen who has been institutionalized since birth……Whew! Just when I thought He could not possibly place any more on me, and I was finally starting to get my bearings with some semblance of normalcy in my life – He has asked me to adopt her little 7 year old brother, of whom we knew nothing until a few months ago. He is infusing grace upon grace into my heart and life, and some of that grace comes directly from this blog and the fellowship of the dear sisters here. I especially am blessed tonight by Dee’s recommendation that we only do one New Year’s resolution this year – to have union and communion with Christ! I’m so used to neatly writing up all my resolutions and struggling with them all year. As others have stated, I only echo that this is so freeing. Just to have the fullness of the Godhead walking in me and communing with Him as my dearest Friend and Lover – oh, what glory! Oh, what peace! Oh, what joy! I want to know Him in His fullness and love in a more intimate and deep way in 2017. Thank you, everybody, for sharing your thoughts and experiences. What a fellowship! Lifting up the weak hands of those you don’t even know! Beautiful!
Miriam, you just blew my mind with your stories of 2 adoptions! Wow-the Lord be praised! Thank you for your fellowship here and sweet prayers. Looking forward to hearing how the Lord is going to work out His purposes in your life and the lives of your children. Yes, what glory, peace and joy!
Oh Miriam — wow — what a story — and how inspiring!
Oh my, Miriam, you amaze me! Well, really, as I am sure you would be quick to say as well, God amazes me!!! So thankful to hear an update from you. Your paragraph story simply oozes with John 1: 16 “And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” May God pour His Strength and Spirit on you as you serve as His hands and feet!
Miriam, Your story encouraged me!
2. Read James 4:8 A. What promise is in the first sentence?
As I turn and go to God, He comes near to me.
B. Why, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
Because I am a double-minded sinner, prone to wander.
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage?
Always love this song, this line says a lot to me–“I don’t claim to have found the truth–But I know it has found me”
3. Take some time with this: A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
Like the vineyard of Isaiah 5, I have, on my own, produced bitter fruit. But now that I am IN Christ, Christ is IN me—the True Vine is my source of life, of strength, of joy—and because He is the Source, as I remain in Him, and He in me, I can only produce good fruit, fruit that is eternally alive. It is impossible for me to shrivel up and die, to fail—as long as I abide—dwell, stay, make my home, in Christ.
I think too the vine image reminds me that there is some responsibility on my part as a branch—to stay purposefully connected to the Vine. I like what Puritan Thomas Watson says in “The Art of Divine Contentment”: “You who are believers have more choice fruit—the olive, the pomegranate, the fruit which grows on the true vine Jesus Christ! Others have the fat of the earth—you have the dew of heaven! They have muddied puddles—but you have those springs of living water which are purified with Christ’s blood, and filled with his love.”
I have an ivy topiary in my kitchen that I love. I love to watch the new growth appear-bright green, and also “springy”—full of life, eager to grow. But always, there are the leaves that for whatever reason die. They turn brown and crumply and I take them off. Sometimes I look closely at that branch with the shriveled leaf, and you can see where the stem of the branch got really thin, and then hardened. Makes me think of my spiritual life, and the vital importance of staying “fed”. Sorry—much longer than I meant to be! Stopping!
B. How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
I’ll be shorter here! We are One. I am united to Christ and nothing can snatch me from Him, nothing can separate us. He is committed to me, for life. All that He has, all His inheritance, He has given to me, as His Bride. He has clothed me, crowned me, and yes, called me Beautiful!
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
I could not love the video more. He blessed it. It’s amazing.
Such richness Lizzy. Love the Watson quote.
Good morning! I could hardly wait to get up this morning and spend time fellowshipping with my Beloved and continuing with our study together.
A) In james 4:8 we are promised that if we draw near/come close to God, He will draw near/come close to us.
B) It is important to keep our thoughts and actions pure and to repent and ask forgiveness for our sins as soon as we are convicted.
C) Sarah’s song illustrates how easily we can be distracted by doing life and losing our focus of fellowshipping with the Lord. “How is it between us – when did I talk to You last and what has happened since” In other words, have I been repenting and asking forgiveness? Have I acknowledged Your presence each moment of the day? Or have I neglected You and gotten so busy doing “good works” in my own strength that now I am run down. Oh for grace to trust and love You more!
Paige–love your “c” answer! so good–and convicting! 🙂
Great start, Paige!
2. Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence?
If you draw near to God he will draw near to you.
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
Keep account of your hands and heart.
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage?
Sara asks, “Lord, how is it between us?” She gives account of her normal daily routine and realizes she is not focusing on God during those times. We need to talk to Him all the time, not just when life gets tough. He wants to be included in our “regular” times because that’s what a relationship really is, isn’t it?
Laura — I was thinking of your three resolutions. I didn’t mean to imply resolutions were wrong — you developed those two from abiding in the vine. That is what happens — He shows us how to bear fruit…
?
2. Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence?
When I come near to God, He will come near to me.
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
First of all I am THANKFUL for His Holy Spirit in me for He gives me red flags and shows me and empowers me to turn so it is important for me to respond keeping short accounts of my sin each day walking in repentance and faith- and to be aware of and turn from my double mindedness -my idols that I can so easily desire and run to more than Him. Idols do not satisfy my longing inside which is for Him-only He can satisfy that.
2. Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence?
When I draw near to God, He will draw near to me.
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
Wash hands and purify hearts; hands and hearts; actions and motives.
Had an interesting thought about Pilate-he did wash his hands to get off the responsibility of being the key person in Jesus’ crucifixion-for fear of man and his position. On the other hand, I need to wash my hands and purify my heart in response to the crucifixion-in acknowledgement of my sins and in awe of the holiness of God.
In the clinical area, I set an example and require my students to wash their hands at least 10 different specific times! They are not to wait until the end of their shift! Whatever is in their hands in between care can cause something detrimental to another. Oh, Lord how much more for me to “wash my hands” every time you convict me of sin and not to wait till later! Help me not “infect” others and be “clean” before you. “ …though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18
Wow, Bing, this is golden: “Help me not “infect” others and be “clean” before you.”
2. Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence?
The promise is that, if we will draw near to God, He will draw near to us. I associate this with Jesus’ words “Seek and you shall find….” We seem to always be afraid that God will not be there for us – even though He always has been in the past. This is a good promise to remember!
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
We need to watch and acknowledge our sins before God, asking for forgiveness, and be truly repentant.
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage?
’When did I talk to you last and what has happened since?” That is a good way to put it. I always make sure I “check in” before I go to bed at night – and I think that, even I don’t use those exact words, it is the import of what I am saying to the Lord. Sometimes I ask God to forgive me of my sins, and then I add “and you may have to point out to me what those are, for sometimes I don’t even see the error of my ways.”
Oh Deanna, you are so right, “sometimes I don’t even see the errors of my ways”…I’m there with you, praying for awareness, thanking the Lord for His truth and grace.
2. Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence? If you draw near to God, He will draw near to you
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day? The second sentence says to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, but in my translation it doesn’t really say why. I’m assuming because that facilitates drawing near.
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage? No matter how anything else in my life seems to be going, it’s not going well if my relationship with the Lord is not one of continual abiding.
Read James 4:8
A. What promise is in the first sentence? – James 4.8 tells us that if we draw near God he will draw near to us. This is so clear, but yet I find myself still thinking I can do things on my own. I need to write this down and put it in various places and meditate on it always.
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day? – We need to keep in mind that we can’t do what we know is wrong and still be in God’s good grace. We need to get rid of the bad that we do or think and do what we know God will bless us on.
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage? – This song shows how easy it is to get caught up in things that are right in front of us and how God gets pushe out of our minds. We tend to linger on the gifts we’ve been given instead of the remembering the gift giver.
2B. We are sinful and double minded. We need to be continually drawing closer to Him. I am really feeling it today. Kind of on the edge, and wanting to eat because of it.
C. Sara Groves, then I realize I am forgetting God, and that is the root of all my misery….yes, Lord. My problem is always the distance between You and me. Then she goes on, I can think of You now and then, or I can make a mark for eternity….isn’t that what we all want? To make a difference with our lives? But I can’t do it apart from Him. He says a person could gain the world, but lose their own soul. I would rather gain Him and lose the world.
3A. The vine and branches…only by clinging tighter to Him in 2017 can I move to higher ground. It has been three months now that I’ve been trusting Him with my food intake, and I am teetering on the brim of losing the ground I’ve gained. I need to move closer to Jesus.
B. Marriage…forsaking all others, I need to cling to Him. That means to turn my back on the siren call of food and bury my face in Him. As my sister in law said, not pick up the food and then the Bible, but just pick up the Bible for food.
4. The promo video is beautiful! The images are so inviting!
5. How does my life impact my progeny? I can’t lead anyone somewhere I haven’t been. So first of all, I need to have a positive walk with Jesus. Then I can proclaim Him to them, and pray for them to have a consistent and passionate walk with Him. No slight case of religion will do. They need to fall helplessly in love with Him, something that changes them down to their DNA. That is what I pray for.
Ann Voskamp quoting Martyn Lloyd Jones, all our brokenness is only healed by union… Oh, Jesus! How much I need You, this moment and all others!
Mary B., Love this.
” No slight case of religion will do. They need to fall helplessly in love with Him, something that changes them down to their DNA. That is what I pray for.”
Too many of us have a “slight case of religion”, enough to inoculate us against the real thing!
2. Read James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
A. What promise is in the first sentence?
If we draw near to God, he will draw near to you.
B. What, according to the 2nd sentence, is it important to keep short-accounts throughout the day?
We are sinners and double-minded. We need to continually cleanse our hands and purify our hearts (which means confession, repentance and refocusing on Christ probably many times a day.) There are some who follow a schedule of prayer times throughout the day; times to stop, assess their focus and turn to God. It is now the evening and, as I answer this question, I ponder my day. How did I do? What do I need to repent of? I have lost my focus. I got distracted. I looked after me instead of obeying God. I got annoyed. I got selfish. I got lazy. I need to repent; to turn and refocus. I need to draw near again.
C. How does this song from Sara Grove’s illustrate the truth of this passage?
Sara points out that mountains may crumble and all kinds of important things occur, but the most important thing is “how are things between us”.
Just getting started but the song Christ Alone and several verses that I read all reinforce that Jesus has to be the focus of life for me.
Day 2: I like James 4:8…I want to write it on my heart so I remember God’s promise to draw near when I seek Him. Today I was reminded how easy it is to stumble and fall, and how often it happens, so I am asking God to help me stop right away to confess and repent before Him. I really appreciate the song, and am going to add it to my playlist…I can so relate to it!
3. Take some time with this:
A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
In the video when the Shulamite maiden said she hasn’t tended to her Vineyard for she wasn’t and was producing bitter fruit. It reminded me of the Sara Groves song and how her fruit grew bitter. I have a responsibility to stay rooted in the vine-for when I don’t I become restless inside for nothing satisfies like being with Him and these ugly feelings, attitudes, and words come out of my mouth-a bitter spring.
The metaphor of the vineyard helps me see that apart from Him I can’t bear His beautiful, fragrant fruit but I am also seeing how the vine is the branches very life. Alone, the branch can’t sustain itself and dies but as it communes with the vine, it is filled with life from the vine and then overflows producing beautiful, fragrant, life-giving fruit. -This beautiful fruit and fragrance is His beauty.. I can’t help but think of the dance: responding, abiding, dancing.
3. Take some time with this:
A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
Found the video Dee….duh. Okay, well, here we are again, aren’t we? Vineyards….I suppose one day I will get this, and yet I really do know that I need it badly. So much so that I asked Dee in a private email when that darn book would be available!
Vineyards are full of grapes. I know, from eating grapes (and, okay, drinking wine too) that some grapes are sweet and some are sour, some are red and some are green, some need more water than others, and some like it cold and some like it hot. Some grapes have seeds and some do not (Is this a modern phenomenon though? Some sort of genetic alteration?) if not tended well, the vines become overgrown and dead. I have a “grapevine” decoration in my home that seems unwieldy; it is sharp and cutting because it’s so dry, and “all over the place.” I’m assuming (maybe not a good thing when discussing SOS? Plus I am no gardener!) that a well watered grapevine would not be so dry and cutting? It would be more flexible and pliable?
Dee refers to Isaiah in the video. when I go back and review Isaiah 5, the vineyard represents Israel that once was a fertile place but in this description becomes a desolate one. This is different from SOS, right? She tended the vineyard, she made everything lush and growing. She did not tend to herself though.
B. How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
I definitely need to study and understand the ideas in SOS. We just had our 27th anniversary and are in a rough patch (but normal, I think). We need to refocus our eyes on the beauty of marriage, and tend to our vineyards! This is my hope for my marriage this year. I always wondered about people who get divorced at 30 years. Never understood that! But, I could see that if they didn’t tend to each other and were more about being about themselves (in a selfish way), divorce might seem “natural.” It takes work. I need to be more bendable and lush like the well watered grapevine I described above.
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
I liked the video. It brought the old with the new. I like how you talk about hearing Jesus voice. Oh, how I want to be beautiful!!
In response to this, Laura: Dee refers to Isaiah in the video. when I go back and review Isaiah 5, the vineyard represents Israel that once was a fertile place but in this description becomes a desolate one. This is different from SOS, right? She tended the vineyard, she made everything lush and growing. She did not tend to herself though.
It is poetry, but she is the vineyard — and she, in the Song, has neglected it. Same picture in Isaiah 5. But in the Song as she stays close to Him, she begins to produce beautiful fruit. I’m glad you are eager for the book! 🙂
I don’t think I have ever REALLY understood Song of Songs. So she IS the vineyard and she has neglected herself?
Yes!
Thanks for not understanding Mary! I don’t feel so alone now ?.
Thanks for being patient with me Dee!
out of replies for your comment above this one so replying here: ?
B. How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
Oh that I am His and He is mine! 🙂
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
Looking at it like I am a customer: It really invokes a wonder of Jesus in the Song- could it be? It kind of takes the camel thirstily looking for love in the desert and turns it in the direction of God. :))) Makes me want to read it. For those who are more adamant that it is only about marriage, I think it might cause some of them to wonder for you wonderfully said we see marriage in it but then explained how that points to our relationship with God-which is in other places in Scripture-and you can’t argue with that. I love how you presented this.
So glad, Rebecca — your opinion means so much!
3A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
When I think of the vineyard imagery, my mind immediately goes to John 15 where Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. … every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. … Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. … for apart from me you can do nothing.” (1-5)
In these verses, Jesus clearly says he will prune us (cut back anything sinful, useless) so we can bear more fruit. To bear more fruit we need to abide. I think this means to stay, to spend time with him, to get our life from him.
This reminds me of an old hymn “In the Garden” where it compares of our time with Jesus to time spent in a garden (could it be the Garden of Eden imagery?) where Jesus” walks with me and talks with me and tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” Isn’t that beautiful!? Abiding is like going back into the Garden of Eden to talk to God “in the cool of the day” like Adam and Eve did before the Fall of sin.
One more thing, if I am a branch of Jesus’ vine, I can draw nourishment from him continually, any time I need it, even through the pressures of life. A nursing baby draws nourishment from a mother’s breast, but doesn’t continually feed. He is fed, withdraws and then hungers again. However, we have Jesus as a constant source of nourishment – as long as we abide and our branch remains strongly connected. “Behold, I am with you always”, Jesus says to us.
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
I thought the video was great – lovely pictures, lovely message. I’m sure it will draw some to get the book.
I am sure you refer to John 15 and Jesus’ words about being the vine and us the branches in your book, but, just a thought, Christian women are probably more familiar with John 15 than Song of Songs and their ears might perk up if you refer to it in your video. Are there going to be any videos to go with the book, Dee? I would love that. My Bible study women really like video clips.
I don’t know — I’d have to pay for them myself it seems — and they are pricey. So don’t know!
Oh,I see. I didn’t think about the cost. Yes, I am sure it would be pricey.
Sorry, if I’m repeating what another has already said, I haven’t been able to read yesterday’s commentS. Anyway, for 2b) I love word pictures and I love that God uses them here to teach me a very valuable message. Just like I wouldn’t handle something as vile as dog waste and then neglect to wash my hands immediately after, I also cannot neglect to cleanse my heart of sin by confessing and repenting immediately after I am aware of that sin. It would be like sitting down to eat breakfast after taking care of my toilet needs without washing up first. Sorry for the gross word pictures but that visual for me is so strong. I feel so repulsed by the very idea of it. It’s helping me to see how important taking care of my sin really is.
When I picture a vineyard, I see how intricately intertwined the branches are with the vine.
How the vine supplies all that the branches need: roots going deep into the soil that bring life to the branches so they can bear fruit, nourishment and water to sustain the branches to bring forth fruit, strength to keep the branches and fruit off the ground, lifting the branches towards the sun and rain.
Christ is the vine and I am a branch – when His life is intertwined to mine and mine to His, I am lifted off of the ground, growing up towards the sun, to higher ground. I am sustained by the water of His Spirit and the bread of His Word. I am growing and bearing fruit that will draw others near to Him.
As Wilbourne says, “If we are united to Christ, then we are united to Him in ALL that He has done for us.” “The lifeblood of another flows within you and gives you life.”
Staying intertwined, being united to and in Christ throughout each moment of each day will lift me to higher ground this year!
Your promotional video makes me want to study SOS again and read your new book!
Yay!
3.A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
Great promo video, Dee…looking forward to the book release and going back for additional study of SoS…eager anticipation!
When I ponder the vine/branch, I am reminded that as all sustenance for a branch comes from the vine, this is the same for me related to the Lord. He is the foundation, my root… all that I am or hope to be is optimal only when I am in step/sync with Him…without Him as my root/foundation, I am lost. What this means to me in reaching higher ground in 2017 is to recognize my insufficiency in trying to be self sufficient; I need to continue to return to God-sufficiency. The Lord needs to be my beginning place; my relationship with Him primary.
3. Take some time with this:
A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017? The vine is the total source of life for the branches. The branch may still exist w/out the vine, but not alive, dead, and unable to produce any fruit (new life) itself. Striving for continual abiding in Christ gives me great hope for a more fruitful life as a Believer and not just that, but to experience life more fully myself, in Him.
B. How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017? I feel like I don’t have a lot of insight into this, so I’ll just learn from those who are married on this one!
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂 Oh I love it! Gives me a little insight into how to answer 3B! I love that, while abiding is certainly so that we will produce fruit (as a side-effect, so-to-speak) it is really not the primary purpose. The primary purpose is to be in the love relationship with Jesus, which is our only source of life and joy. To know and love Him (and trust Him and His goodness and love for us) and then fruit will be the natural result. A bride in a happy, healthy marriage can’t help but to tell others about it, right? 🙂
3.B. Image of marriage… higher ground?
When I think of marriage, I have experienced complete contrasts…a past marriage lacking love, trust, and commitment, ending 10 years after it began, and my current marriage 16 years plus strong. I see vast differences in commitment, connection, companionship, trust, and love between the two. I know that the Lord is good, kind, faithful, loving, merciful, etc.; He is all and more than what would be desired in a spouse, which means that if our relationship has deficiencies, it is not on Him, but on me this falls. I think of how I may take our relationship for granted, not be as fully engaged, compartmentalize our time, lack authenticity… most times not even consciously, but more related to “autopilot” mode. This would not serve a marital relationship well, or most any meaningful relationship… I must be more mindful, aware, focused on what is priority and what is clutter…quality is the word that comes to mind…quality time, quality meaningfulness, quality communication, quality study, reading, stillness…
Great thoughts, Nanci. He is the Perfect Husband!
Hi Dee – This is my first time to participate in one of your Bible studies. Am so looking forward to participating. My prayer is to become closer to our Lord and get to know him better. This means that I MUST spend time in his Word and that has been my trial. I am the caregiver for my 84 year old mother, and I have 2 dogs and a cat to care for. I need to stop letting other things get in the way of my time with my Lord. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity.
Diana — so good to have you here! Pray this will help — we help each other here!
Welcome, Diana Rose 🙂
Hi, I’m new to the blog study but am looking forward to the blessing of journeying here together!
How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
The insight I see of this image to move me to higher ground is: Stay where you belong… A branch needs to stay connected to the vine, a vineyard needs to stay in the care of the vinedresser, and I need to stay where I belong, constantly drawing near to God, like yesterday’s verse in James 4:8 said. The opposite is to be drawing near to the world, where I don’t belong as His beloved. Just like the Sarah Groves song said too, “woke up on the wrong side…of the world.” To me, the wrong side of the world as a child of God is being a friend of it. I want to wake up on the “right side” of the world, not as its friend, but leaving it behind, drawing nearer to Christ where I belong.
How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies.” S.o.S 6:3.
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
Loved everything about the video, but was bummed to see I’ll have to wait until July for this book! Looks like such a treat! I love Song of Solomon and have been looking for a way to get back into it on a regular basis, so I look forward to getting back in it again to prepare for reading He Calls You Beautiful J
Welcome Vanessa from the beautiful city of San Diego. My parents lived there for a while — such a lovely climate!
Already I like you!
Welcome Vanessa from cold and snowy Montana. May you be encouraged in this place as much as I have been in these past two and a half years.
A. How does the image of a vineyard, or the vine and the branches, give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
As a branch, only in being connected to Jesus, the vine, can I be fruitful. Higher ground can refer to maturity in Christ and being more and more like Him.
B. How does the image of marriage give you insight into how you might move to higher ground in 2017?
In my earthly marriage with my husband Richard, I feel like I have matured as a person and as a Christian. As the years have gone by, I feel and think more and more like him in more than one area. J How much more would my union with Christ bring about knowing His thoughts, acting like Him and experiencing Him moment by moment? The very thought of Him in me has enabled me to go through my day today with purpose and sweet conversations with Him! It was quite an experience talking math (a weak area for me) with Him. I tried 3x and have finally gotten it, I think. J
4. And of course I’d love input into the video! 🙂
The video is excellent especially as you ended it with …”you will hear the voice of Jesus calling to you.” Yes, the greatest lover of our souls!
5. Think about your children, for if we have known the Lord for a few years, we have spiritual children, people we are mentoring, or, you may have biological or adopted children/grandchildren. How does your life impact them? How could you pray for them today, show them Christ’s love, or mentor them?
My life is watched carefully by my daughter, since she lives with us. I notice how she does things I do, and repeats things I say. I haven’t seen this with biblical things though; it’s hard to get her to church (although she will sometimes come). Our two oldest sons live away from home, so they don’t really see much. When then need us though, we are there. Maybe my letter writing will be something that helps them “see” me better? Finally, our youngest son travels back and forth from school to home and sees us more than the others. I think he listens to us, but I can’t be sure. We tend to have conversations about hard topics (like why is it better for children to have a mom and a dad?) we tend to go out of our way to give each other valid resources to check each other out! I am one to say I’m sorry if I am wrong (even though it hurts), and will admit I was wrong if I am. The other day he said he was wrong, so maybe he is listening? Again, when it comes to Christianity though, I’m not so sure. He went to Christian high school and I’m not sure he would choose our way of life ?. He is still young, and impressionable (of others). It’s very hard to get him to church, but he did come on Christmas!
Oddly enough, I may be rubbing off on my husband, as he actually said he was going to read the bible this year! I gave him the chronological bible reading I did 2 years ago, but I don’t think he started yet. He is totally engrained in his work and it is hard for him to multitask in life. He is a work to home kind of guy.
I will pray for each of them today that they are drawing closer to Jesus, and want to be nearer to him somehow. I will pray that my husband learns that the most important thing in his life is Jesus, not work.
Laura–love that your husband wants to read the Bible this year! Praying now for him~
Laura–I’m going to add to your #5. The way you have modeled unconditional love to your daughter, the way you’ve talked about reading the Storybook Bible to baby Cooper, the way you love your students without judgment and teaching with such integrity, your steadfastness to keep up with this Bible study with ALL that other stuff on your plate and process through the questions…I think you are an amazing example and mentor to them.
Thank you Lizzy, you are sweet to say those things! It is Him always that leads me (lately – not always though) I need Him every day for sure!
6. What I pray for you is that each day you will get your soul “happy” in the Lord, as George Mueller put it. When will you “eat,” what will you “eat,” and where will you “eat”? (Planning a routine will help!)
So, my general routine is morning, and oftentimes I am late to work because I am so engrossed! I try to get up by 5 (I lay in bed to do my study though). It helps me take on the day. I am adding a scripture reading each morning other than the blog. I just take the verse of the day from Youversion. I try to pray using that verse. I usually pray for my family but sometimes my thoughts are drawn to others. I am adding an end of the day time in my schedule because a friend has told me of the Daniel fast and I am planning on starting it with her on the 8th. My struggle time is after school; late afternoon, before dinner. That’s when I am planning hot spiced chai tea and scripture reading posed by the Daniel fast.
I wonder able getting “happy” with God though. It’s not really always that way now is it? Sometimes things are deep in the bible. Today’s scripture of the day is good though…
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)
Good plans, Laura.