From the very beginning of our lives, we want our own way!
Unsplash photo Alexander Dummer
We all have hearts of stone until the Stonecutter comes and rescues us from ourselves. I was a spoiled child and a difficult wife, even when I was a new Christian. Here I am, angry at Steve for his long hours as an intern, something he had no control over. He took me out for dinner when he finally had a free night, but I was complaining to him when a photographer came to the table, so I refused to smile. Was I happy? No. And I was making everyone else miserable. The stone of selfishness in my heart was big, and I couldn’t see Steve’s plight. It wasn’t until the day he called me from the hospital, having seen that he was working every single holiday, and told me he was going to quit, to give up his dream of being a doctor (after 8 years of schooling) that I woke up. I didn’t want him to quit — I suddenly saw my stone of selfishness and submitted to The Stonecutter.
The irony is that we think resisting will make us happy, when it makes us miserable. In “Washed and Waiting,” Wesley Hill, who struggles with same-sex attraction, explains what helped him to submit his desires to The Stonecutter and live a life of joyful celibacy. He was reading C. S. Lewis, who said that the lie of the devil is that if we submit to God, we will be miserable, when the truth is that submission to God leads to joy. It is counterintuitive, but it’s true.
Our enemy whispers to us that we are unloved, worthless, and without hope. That is when we must take our souls in hand and speak the truth of God to them. Please listen to this, a song Steve and I found helped us so much, even in the hardest time of our lives, when he was dying of cancer. You may need to download it first.
Remember the word 23-48-78 copy (2) copy
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week?
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy.
Monday: Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
2. Read Ezekiel 11:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations?
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers?
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20?
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we?
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21?
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24.
The wheel in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s omnipresence and mobility.
Tuesday: Water, Blood, Spirit
Recently, in telling an atheist friend at pickleball about the fantastic success of the prison ministry of Discipleship Unlimited, she said, “You could accomplish the same thing without God.” I shook my head. She insisted, “Yes, you could.” You and I know that the power comes from the Spirit, the water, and the blood.
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5?
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents.
Robert Chisholm Jr. says Ezekiel is using the image of ritual cleansing. There was a scene from The Chosen in which Peter’s wife did ritual cleansing in the hopes of curing her barrenness. We need to be cleansed of our sins. The blood does the same, in paying for our sin — but God uses both water and blood to represent our great need. Then He gives power through His Spirit.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from?
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often!
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey.
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45?
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25?
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26?
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27?
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:28?
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?
Thursday: Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul
Our enemy is a liar who wants to bring us down — it isn’t enough not to listen, we must replace His lies with truth. I’m going to give you a few of his lies and you replace them with a scriptural truth.
15. No one truly cares for you.
16. God has abandoned you.
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children.
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.)
Friday: Addressing Your Idols
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it?
Saturday:
20. What is your takeaway and why?
168 comments
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week?
I did not finish last week’s study as my husband and I are hosting my cousin from the Philippines, who is visiting till the 16th. She arrived in the afternoon of the 4th, and we had some really good times together, which I am very thankful for. I sensed a camaraderie even if we have not had substantial communications through the years since I was back in the Philippines. She was one of my Mom’s caregivers during her sick years and managed the money I would send over. I find in this cousin a heart for God and His will for our Filipino families. As we have talked the last few days, we agreed that we have been seeing God’s presence, power, and His love for us and our respective families.
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy.
I can think of several times when the Stonecutter has worked in my life. The most recent one had to do with the circumstances related to my student. I had a hard time understanding the injustice served to her, and I was getting angry. I may have shared this already, but I also want to acknowledge the patient work of the Stonecutter over the last few days. I have been reminded of having received grace upon grace, and I need to extend this as well to others. Today, I shared this with my husband, who was very understanding and agreed that I should let it go and trust God. I know the situation is not resolved the way I want it, but I have this peace and a slow-growing joy in the Lord. He is in control!
Happy for you to have your cousin here and the camaraderie.
Bing, What a blessing to have this loving relationship, with your cousin, and Jesus at the center. Love that the Stonecutter is working in the situation with your student.
Wonderful about your cousin and pray you can let that hard situation go, Bing.
How wonderful to have your cousin come for a visit and so sweet too that you share a oneness in Jesus Christ❤️
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week?
I had a brief, day surgery this past week. I was a bit nervous, because, well, it is surgery. I was praying and completing some bible study that encouraged me to be grateful. I looked at the nurse assisting me and out of no where (must have been the Holy Spirit!) I told her I was grateful for her. I had not had any medicine up to that point! She was surprised and so was I!
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy.
Well, I go back to the time when our teenage son was a mess. I literally had nothing left to give and I was a mess. I begged God to take it over. He did and I have never felt freer. I believe He can do it again in my life. I struggle because you tip toe to the edge and want to put your feet in the water but it is hard to have faith. We are there now with the grands. Our daughter is a mess and we must rely on the Lord. I do believe He is over-seeing everything and regardless of what happens, He is in charge. I am watching my husband tip toe to the edge. That is exciting in its own way too.
I am finding that watching The Chosen I am reminded that even the disciples struggled to have faith, and they were THERE!
I love this song.
https://youtu.be/smOq-Yb0lQE?si=YCCsYZeMCV6ad0MW
Laura, I love your obedience to the Spirit to express your gratitude. I sometimes feel that nudge and keep quiet because it feels awkward. I also love the story about your son and now your daughter. The Lord does call us again and again to trust Him. You have mentioned before the life of Joseph and his journey in Egypt. I’m also reminding myself of this as we travel through so many trials in this life. Excited for your husband as well and I love the song. Continuing to pray for your journey.
Laura, I know you made that nurse’s day with your kind words. I love how trustworthy God is when we feel at the end of our strength. I pray that you will continue to look to Him, and see Him do miracles in the situation with your daughter and your sweet grandchildren.
Great song! We sing that at our church. Always a great reminder for praise.
Laura, you have been such an encouragement to me with all that you have on your plate and you still persevere in your walk with the Lord😊
I have never heard that song before! Thank you for sharing…it ministered to me.
You continue to be in my prayers.
Laura I love how your faith and trust in God is being revealed to you by God. He is an amazing God.
Thank you for sharing this song Laura 🙂
https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Reflections_2009_06-What-Is-Gods-Plan-for-Your-Life-75.pdf
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week? Our church service yesterday. I don’t always feel the love of God and his power in worship. Sometimes I am just going through the motions. This time was not that. The message was on Psalm 13 and so applicable to daily life. I even got my 7 year old to repeat one of the points of the sermon when we left, they were so simple and true. 1. Realize your feelings lie (v. 1-2) 2. Look to God for strength (v. 3-4) 3. Trust God’s faithfulness (v.5-6). I’ve decided we will read this every day this week and repeat the sermon points to try to apply this to our lives this week. He has been struggling with old lies from his trauma this past week and I’m hoping this will help.
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy. I’m sure there are many times in life where this has happened. I’m working on this again in my life now with health and marriage concerns. The message we learned from David Powell is helping as I look for trouble in my vertical relationship and see how this is impacting my horizontal relationships. This is such a powerful tool. But then there are things like health struggles where we just need to accept what we are facing. I found the one page article linked above to be helpful in this. C.S. Lewis speaks about how our lives are not about what we wish for ourselves but about what God has planned for us. He uses the imagery of our life being a house and how we thought God would make us into a nice little cottage, but he plans to make us into a palace- and come and live in it himself. Only C.S. Lewis can write like that. It is a beautiful picture he paints with words. As I learn to submit to his plan, I hope I can see this palace taking shape and have the joy he wishes for me. I do see glimpses of it for sure- I’m just not all the way there yet.
Chris, I love the article, thanks for sharing!
Also, the sermon steps are good. I like that you are planning to reflect on them this week. I also like that your son could recall and learn the point he did. I agree that it is hard to take from sermons and apply to life, at times. I more often have those moments where I receive affirmation that God and I are one, in a sermon. That happened yesterday actually, now that I think of it! I mentioned the reverence of church last week, and how our pastor used to say (every week), “May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, our rock and our Redeemer.” Our pastor said it yesterday! He doesn’t ever say that….wow! That might be the God hunt for me for last week!
How cool! Thanks for sharing, so encouraging 🙂
Oh, Chris! I love how your 7 year responded to the simple yet powerful sermon! I pray that it stays with him and helps him. Thank you for sharing the C.S. Lewis link. It really spoke to my heart.
I so agree with this, Chris:
I look for trouble in my vertical relationship and see how this is impacting my horizontal relationships. This is such a powerful tool.
Yes thanks Chris for sharing the article. Very good.
Chris, thanks for sharing the article…convicting but good. I so relate to your last sentence…” I do see glimpses of it for sure- I’m just not all the way there yet.”
Dee, did you mean Ezekiel 11?
Read Ezekiel 10:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations?
They were saying how they were not following the Lord so they would not receive the holy land. Instead, it would go to those who were following the Lord’s ways.
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers?
The Lord would be their sanctuary.
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you.
Right now! We are still waiting on the court to decide if our guardianship will end and our daughter will take the kids (to our dismay). It has been postponed until August 5th which is not a good day for our lawyer or the GAL. We will most likely have to “continue” to a different day (most likely later). Our daughter filed yesterday, that she has enrolled the children in a NYC school, without the case being resolved. She is pushing the court to make the hearing earlier.
I am resting in the Lord.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20?
The Lord will provide the land He originally said they could have. If the people followed His law then they would live with a “singleness of heart and a new spirit.” They would live in harmony with Him.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded.
I suppose this means they can’t choose between two things. They wanted God, but…
How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we?
They worshiped other gods and did not follow God’s laws. It doesn’t mention anything specific. It does say “vile images” and “detestable idols.”
We make things in everyday life more important than God. These could be work, exercise, children, food, drink, etc.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21?
Those who do not conform will be “repaid” says the Lord.
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24.
The cherubim rose with the glory of the Lord. They stopped over the eastern mountain. Then they took Ezekiel back to Babylon where the exiles were. His vision ends.
The wheel in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s omnipresence and mobility.
Thanks, Laura for catching my typo early!
Monday: Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
2. Read Ezekiel 10:14-25 this must be a typo as chapter 11 verses 14-25 make much more sense.
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations? I think that their hearts would be turned from the Lord.
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers? That he would be a sanctuary to them in the other countries.
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you. So many times…and even now…I suppose the one that stands out most is the loss of our grandchildren and the way the Lord pulled our family together and used our faith and the community of believers to support us. It truly felt like a sanctuary.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20? Those who were scattered will be gathered and given the land of Israel. He will give them one heart and a new spirit, removing their heat of stone, that they may obey him.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we? The Israelites served the gods in other countries and we have idols as well.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21? He says he will bring their deeds on their own heads.
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24. Ezekiel sees a vision of cherubim lifting up their wings with wheels beside them, and the glory of God over them. The glory of God goes up on the mountain and the Spirit lifts Ezekiel into Chaldea, to the exiles. Then the vision is done and he tells the exiles all he saw.
The wheel in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s omnipresence and mobility.
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week?
I am getting to know my neighbors better and starting to feel a bit more community. My neighbor just down the street, who lived near me in Issaquah, had a knee replacement. I went to visit them a few days ago and we talked for a couple of hours. We did not know each other in Washington, but I am seeing a warmth and kindness in her. She was so reserved when I first met her, so it has been a delight getting a connection with her. Thanking God for His consistent care.
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy.
The greatest “Stonecutting” in my life as been in the past 4 years. I have felt suspended and quite alone, yet supported by God. There are so many days when I am doubting and wondering where He is directing me. I am pressing into His Word and working on Trusting more and letting go. I am working on my prayer time and beholding Him, keeping my eyes on Him. I find joy in seeing answered prayer here on our blog and in the lives of friends. I know we are all the teacups in the hands of the potter. Love this: “ Course He isn’t safe, but He is good. He is the King, I tell you .” C. S. Lewis~ about Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. “For we walk by faith not by sight ~” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Excited about the possibility of a friendship with a neighbor!
I am too. Thank you, Dee.
Patti, Sounds like a nice connection to what was home for you. When my daughter lived in Renton both of her boys were born at a hospital in Issaquah. They attended Crossroads Bible Church in Bellevue. We always enjoyed visiting them in the Great Northwest. Praying your new friendship becomes a sweet one.
Thank you, Bev. We are members of Crossroads too! I still communicate with our pastor. 🙏We were just up the hill from the church! It is a wonderful church. The pastor brought my oldest daughter much closer to the Lord.
So glad for the connection you made with your neighbor…wish you were my neighbor 😉!
Thank you for your encouragement and prayers last week…so appreciated .
Sharon, I wish I was your neighbor, too! It is pure joy to pray for you!
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week?
—It was a precious week of having the opportunity to give affirmation. I currently serve as a mentor to our Women’s Ministry Team at church and the gal who was the leader of the group felt God was leading her to step down after 5 years and so she has resigned her position. She is a wonderful godly woman who is a very real student of God’s Word and loves on women well. Even the difficult ones. We are good friends and we had a very precious interaction after her last meeting where I was able to affirm and encourage her in her decision. The bond she and I have in Christ is precious because of Him, his presence , his power and his love.
Also this past weekend we moved our youngest son Tyce and his family to Lincoln 3 hours away. God gave us his favor in that the move went very well and safely. There were 3 large trailers loaded and arrived safely to their new home without any incidents. We give God the credit for a relatively smooth transition. We enjoyed a sweet time with them attending church together and eating dinner at a favorite restaurant yesterday before heading back on the trip home. We feel good about what God is doing in their lives.
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy.
—About 35 years ago we were living in a community in western Nebraska where I had settled into some meaningful friendships and I loved my home. But my husband was not happy in his position at his job (and he had legitimate reasons). God had begun to deal with my heart about moving. I did not want to leave that place but I knew He was leading us to move. We were at odds with our inlaws at the time and when it became apparent God was calling us to move back to our hometown close to them frankly I did not want to go. At that time Dee held a Friendships of Women Conference in a community near where we lived and I attended it with my friends from church. I remember sitting at that conference in tears listening to Dee speak and submitting to God that I was willing to move and leave my group of Christian friends because I understood that it was his will for us. But it was with audacity that I informed God that He had to give me a Christian friend back up home where we were moving to that really knew how to pray. Actually I demanded it of Him. He knew my need and almost immediately after we had made the move He brought me and my very close friend Lynda together at a Bible study and made us prayer partners. Now over 35 years later it is still a relationship that runs very deep built on many prayers. She has been a joy in my life.
Thanking God for your dear friend, for safe move for Tyce and for your stonecutter testimony of God’s faithfulness, Bev!
Amen to Patti!
2. Read Ezekiel 10:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations?
They feared that their scattered brothers were be far from the Lord.
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers?
The Lord will be a sanctuary for them, wherever they are.
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you.
I feel that way right now. I am far from my home of many years… the place I had lived since my Junior year of college, yet I believe that God has directed me here. It has been the most difficult time of my entire life and I fight depression, yet I am trusting His plan. Before I moved, I had prayed for a year that He would use my life for His purposes and that I will see His plan. I see it one day at a time. I feel His comfort and His presence. He is truly my sanctuary, wherever I am.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20?
The Lord God will draw his scattered people back to Israel, where they will remove all idols, and He will remove their heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we?
Our hearts waiver~ we want to serve God, yet we are quickly distracted by our earthly desires. The Israelites were serving others gods in their countries. We say we serve God, but we often serve the desires of our hearts.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21? God will bring their conduct down on their heads.
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24.
The Cherubim lifted their wings with the wheels around them and the glory of God hovered over them. The glory of the Lord went up from the city and stood over the mountain. The Spirit lifted Ezekiel back to the exiles in Chaldea and the vision ended.
The wheel in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s omnipresence and mobility.
As I read the input on the blog this morning I am challenged by the reality that we all are still a work in progress. We tend to think as we age life should just kind of settle into place and we can kind of just coast on out. But that is not so in this fallen broken world that desperately needs restored so God is still at work redeeming it and us. Jesus accomplished the groundwork at the Cross but now that has to be applied into our lives. As you said He has purposes and plans for our lives yet and He promises his presence and to be our sanctuary. I pray that He will keep the depression at bay for you. Your loneliness is very legitimate and it is hard. It is not a sin to be sad and sadness is a reality of the deep losses you have experienced. But we do learn as we age in the Lord that joy comes from a place deeper in our souls than our circumstances.
Oh, I agree, Bev! I didn’t mean to sound like Eyore!😉 The joy in my soul truly is only from the Lord and I have so much to be thankful for! It is so much newness and so much of it is so good! I probably should have worded that, as I fight feeling overwhelmed. I have had so many answers to prayer. It is a bit like navigating a new river in a canoe, yet He is faithful, daily! ❤️🙏
You have never sounded like Eyore. This is hard, and we want to pray for you.
I love this, “…He is truly my sanctuary, wherever I am.”
I have been struggling with how to respond in my own heart to the devastating flood in Texas that took the lives of so many young ones. I regularly read a daily article on the Denison Forum which highlights a news item and then brings a spiritual application for life from it. This morning’s thoughts by Dr. Jim Denison have helped me better process the grief I felt for the people directly affected by this tragedy.
My granddaughters are attending a Bible camp this week and it causes a person to take pause and consider what if our family were living out this horrible grief. How could I respond? I find I am wanting to cling really hard to Jesus. Where else can we go? Only to Him.
Camp Mystic director dies trying to save kids during flood
It has been a very difficult thing to process, Bev. We can only go to Jesus. My son and his wife, and one grandson, live in Johnson City ~ 54 miles from Kerrville. My grandson had texted me that morning and only knew it was raining, he knew nothing about the flooding. Thanking God they are northeast of it. Thank you for the link Bev.
That is interesting that your son lives in Johnson City. Our son lives just 5 miles west out of Blanco. Blanco is only about 15 miles on down the road towards San Antonio. We go through Johnson City often while down at our son’s and are very familiar with the Hill Country area.
Thank you for the great link to the Denison Forum. I’ve been struggling with this as well and avoiding the news. It’s so sad.
I was wondering how you were taking this in, Bev. Living in Tx for 25 years, I totally understand this flooding. I myself, have been in the Comal River, which is part of this river system, I literally have been hanging on the side of a low water crossing bridge wondering how I would exit the flooded waters! That’s a story for sure (I’m pretty sure God sent me an angel). I have also been in a tent, as a undergrad getting my geology degree, that got washed away during the night one time. I know the craziness of the state and flash floods.
This incident is so awful and sad! I would love a link to the forum you read as it sounds quite good. I am praying for the families and victims of this terrible catastrophe. I will pray for you too. It is difficult to understand, but sometimes in these matters I have a tendency to just dismiss it in my mind because I don’t have an answer. God knows though. He gives and takes away. At least these littles knew Jesus. 😥
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week?
God has revealed to me the spiritual battle that I’m in is not mine to fight alone. My husband and I had a sweet time of prayer together, which we have committed to each week. We are seeking His guidance, praying for unsaved family members and so much more.
I have also thought much about “Beholding is Becoming.” I turned that into “What I behold I become.” So if I’m beholding the things of this world (social media, tv, Satan’s lies, etc)…I will become like the world. BUT, if I behold Christ I will become like Him and that goes back to the study on “Chewing…meditating on His Word, allowing it to saturate my thoughts and focusing on what step of obedience the Lord wants me to take.
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy.
This has to be what I shared above. God has definitely done some cutting of the stones in my heart and it brought such joy when I released my struggle to Him and I can’t say thank you enough for all of your prayers and encouragement…only God!
Oh, Sharon! I love your entire post! This is so good! Praise God for answered prayers! This is so true: I have also thought much about “Beholding is Becoming.” I turned that into “What I behold I become.” So if I’m beholding the things of this world (social media, tv, Satan’s lies, etc)…I will become like the world. BUT, if I behold Christ I will become like Him and that goes back to the study on “Chewing…meditating on His Word, allowing it to saturate my thoughts and focusing on what step of obedience the Lord wants me to take.
Patti — so often we think alike!
From Sharon:
I turned that into “What I behold I become.” So if I’m beholding the things of this world (social media, tv, Satan’s lies, etc)…I will become like the world. BUT, if I behold Christ I will become like Him and that goes back to the study on “Chewing…meditating on His Word, allowing it to saturate my thoughts and focusing on what step of obedience the Lord wants me to take.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence, power, or love of God this week? – We are camping with some friends in Alabama at a Christian based campground called Thunder Canyon Campground and we went to their church service in the chapel. It was a bit different, but so enjoyable and uplifting. We all sat in a circle instead of in rows to be more like one body in that we could see each other and relate better to one another. They talked about unity and had about 12 scripture verses that tied to unity. At the end they let each person, if they felt led to do so, talk about what stood out to them. To hear the different perspectives and be able to see who was talking was different but so nice to have a chance to reflect on the sermon. The Holy Spirit was in that little chapel on the pond, but even more so when we all sang God Bless America at the end. This is something they do at the end of each chapel service. The presence of God is truly at Thunder Canyon Campground.
2. Share a time when you submitted to “The Stonecutter” and found joy. – I was holding on to a marriage, a husband that was not what I was supposed to be doing. I was trying to save my marriage to protect my two boys, but I finally heard God speaking to me through a sermon from the pastor of the church I was attending at the time that said to step out of your box. Those five words hit me hard, and I remember saying, ok God, I hear you. I continued on with the divorce proceedings that my husband at the time had started. My joy came ten years later when I met my now current husband and friend, Joe. God knows what he is doing and it doesn’t always come instantly, I struggled and cried, but in the end, like he always does, God showed me is promise of joy and happiness and what a true husband should look like. Keep waiting, the promise is just around the corner.
Julie – so glad for your happy ending.
Your camping experience sounds so meaningful, Julie! I agree with Dee, love your happy ending. I love this too: “ God knows what he is doing and it doesn’t always come instantly……. Keep waiting, the promise is just around the corner.”
Monday: Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
2. Read Ezekiel 11:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations? – They said, “go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.” They wanted more space for themselves.
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers? –That even though the Lord scattered them to different places, different countries, he, the Lord was still a sanctuary to them where they were.
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you. – When Kyle, my oldest son, was in the Army and in Afghanistan, he made a quick call to me telling me what I needed to do with his life insurance if something happened to him on the mission he was leaving on. If I didn’t hear from him in a few hours, to handle his money. He then said, I got to go, love you bye. I was hysterical to say the least and tried calling my sister, but she couldn’t understand me with all the crying. I stepped back, took a breath and cried out to God to watch over Kyle and protect him and keep him safe. Thankfully Kyle called when he got back, and all was good. But not knowing how it would end up, I need God to wrap his arms around me and be my sanctuary and He was.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20? – He will gather them from where they were scattered and give them the land that was promised with all the detestable things removed. He will give them one heart and a new spirit will be put into them. Their hearts of stone will be removed, and the heart of flesh will replace it.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we?- A divided heart is one that thinks they can have the fleshly ways and have things that don’t matter to the kingdom at the same time of trying to honor God. The Israelites don’t follow the statutes or rules and think that it’s ok, they all will be fine. But God won’t stand for that. He wants a heart that is pure and honoring Him and His Words. For us, our worldly hearts come and divide when we follow God, but one example would be when a group we hang out with may see things differently and we go along with them, so we don’t upset them. But when we do this, we are upsetting God because he has now, at that point, become second in our lives instead of first.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 11:21? – If he sees us going after our detestable things and our abominations, he will allow them to consume us and swallow us up. There will be no stopping what happens to us when we follow them and make them our gods.
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24. – The glory of the Lord was all over them, and went over the mountain and the Spirit brought him into the vision of the Spirit of God. Then that vision went up from him.
The wheel in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s omnipresence and mobility.
What a scary call from your son. Praise God for his faithfulness even in such circumstances.
Amen to Chris. That must have been so frightening, Julie. Praise God for protecting Kyle.
Monday
2. Read Ezekiel 11:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations? They were insulting them, implying that the captives deserved to be in exile and had no part in Jerusalem.
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers? Even though they are scattered, God would be a sanctuary for them (a safe and holy place).
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you. When I was fearful of facing the future (feeling grief/sadness) after the dearth of my daughter, and the Lord brought scripture to my mind, “My flaesh and my hear faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” I knew that He would help me face whatever came my way.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20? God will take away the stony heart and replace it with a softened heart.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we? A divided heart is one that is not fully committed. In vs. 12 the Israelites had stopped living according to God’s statutes and were worshipping the gods of the pagans around them. At the same time they were still offering sacrifices in the temple. I can have a divided heart when I willfully quench the Spirit and ignore the Spirit’s conviction. I have a divided heart when I make excuses and try to rationalize my selfish attitude or behavior.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21? He will punish them.
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24. In the vision the glory of God was above the cherubim and wheels. This rose up out of the city and rested upon a mountain to the east. The Spirit then transported Ezekiel in another vision to Chaldea and the captive Israelites.
The wheel in Ezekiel symbolizes God’s omnipresence and mobility.
So good, Cheryl: I have a divided heart when I make excuses and try to rationalize my selfish attitude or behavior.
Tuesday: Water, Blood, Spirit
Recently, in telling an atheist friend at pickleball about the fantastic success of the prison ministry of Discipleship Unlimited, she said, “You could accomplish the same thing without God.” I shook my head. She insisted, “Yes, you could.” You and I know that the power comes from the Spirit, the water, and the blood.
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5? Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents. Interesting…I always thought it was water that comes from being born, but this is saying the Lord cleanses us from idols with sprinkling of water.
Robert Chisholm Jr. says Ezekiel is using the image of ritual cleansing. There was a scene from The Chosen in which Peter’s wife did ritual cleansing in the hopes of curing her barrenness. We need to be cleansed of our sins. The blood does the same, in paying for our sin — but God uses both water and blood to represent our great need. Then He gives power through His Spirit.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from? The verse says we shall be clean from all our uncleannesses and from all our idols.
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often! I am sure that I have put family and comfort as idols and he is definitely working to show me that he is in control of these things. I am just a broken vessel and have no power over anything, but what he gives me. It is only his strength that sustains me.
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us. Our hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh and we are given the Spirit to live inside of us and cause us to walk in his statutes and obey his rules.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey. There are many times that I would want to argue with my husband over something as we do not see the world the same. He is very black and white about everything and I am not. The Lord has softened me and helps me to hold my tongue and just let Him work in my husband’s heart at times. There are other times where the Lord has shown me something wise and helped me approach my husband in a humble peace like way with the truth to share and that has been fruitful.
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5?
Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents.
The sprinkling of water is the act of cleansing our heart and soul from filthiness and idols. I am so thankful for Dee’s book and study on idols, as well as Keller’s sermons and wise words on idols.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from? God’s divine water will cleanse at the source from filthiness and idols and make us holy. I once saw this as baptism, but it is so much more. It is about change and transformation, deep inside our souls. It is not a surface fix.
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often!
This is huge for me, as my idol has been control and/or lack of trust in God. I am finding that I need to be on my knees in prayer and in His Word, immediately, every morning when I get up. My idols are the things that can get my spirit down and if I start with God’s Word, I look up immediately. I don’t need to worry about the future, He has that planned.
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us.
The promise is a new heart that is teachable, with a new spirit that desires to follow God,~ a transformation.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey. As I have prayed for direction the past three years, the Lord has been speaking to me to look back and see the many miracles and answers to prayer in my life. He has reminded me of scriptures I have underlined and dated, of answers to prayer in my Journals over the years, of scriptures I have received from others. These all give me great comfort, as He is continually taking more stones out of my heart and redirecting my heart to His Word. I know I can trust Him. He will never fail. All this helps me to see how vulnerable the Israelites were and how vulnerable I am to return to my idols.
Your canoe through troubled waters is a model to us all.
Amen!!
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5?
He must be born again with the water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God.
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents.
It’s a cleansing of the soul.
Monday: Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
2. Read Ezekiel 11:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations?
This message was from the Lord to Ezekiel. He told him that the people still left in Jerusalem were talking about them, their relatives and all the people of Israel in exile saying, “these people are far away from the Lord, so now He has given their land to us!”
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers?
The Sovereign Lord says (God is in control ❤️…not those in Jerusalem ), “I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.”
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you.
There have been many times but recently I have felt His loving arms around me. Where else can I turn? So I run to Him, my Shepherd, Protector, Provider and Sovereign Lord!
Psalm 32:7, “He is my hiding place; He protects me from trouble. Surrounds me with songs of victory.” I’ve posted the link below to the song, You Are My Hiding Place. It has brought me much comfort.
https://youtu.be/uUx2WcC9JKo?si=KKYxe8XzaoUAZuKS
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20?
Singleness of heart and a new spirit.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we?
A divided heart is one that is unstable, not loyal, doubting, like the wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
They have not been loyal to the one true God. They have put other gods before Him, making idols of images in the heavens, earth and sea. They have bowed down to them in worship.
We make idols of whatever we put above God in our lives.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21?
He will repay them fully for their sins…they will be judged.
G. Describe what happens in verses 22-24.
The cherubim lift their wings rising into the air with their wheels beside them and the glory of God hovered above them. Then the glory of the Lord went up from the city and stopped above the mountain to the east. After this the Spirit of God carried Ezekiel back again to Babylonia, to the people in exile there. That ended his vision of his visit to Jerusalem.
I love that song so much too!
That is so funny that you bring up the Chosen and Eden’s ritual of cleansing. It was done so beautifully in that episode, and that is the one I was referring to last week on the blog. As she is cleansing from losing her baby, Simon (later Peter) is walking on the water to Jesus and then loses his focus and goes under the water just at the same time she goes under the water back home. All the while a rabbi is reciting a Psalms to King David. It is so beautiful!
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from?
idols
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often!
My mouth!
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us.
God will instill a soft heart within us. He will remove our hard, stubborn hearts. We will want to follow His laws with our spirit.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey.
He is doing so now with all the Bible study we are doing. He is gently reminding me that He is with me and I am trying to follow His way.
Laura, I loved the way those two water scenes worked together in The Chosen, too. So much symbolism and so beautiful.
Tuesday: Water, Blood, Spirit
Recently, in telling an atheist friend at pickleball about the fantastic success of the prison ministry of Discipleship Unlimited, she said, “You could accomplish the same thing without God.” I shook my head. She insisted, “Yes, you could.” You and I know that the power comes from the Spirit, the water, and the blood.
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5?
“I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents.
Cleansing from sin through Christ’s blood on the cross.
1 Corinthians 6:11, “Some of you were once like that (worshiping idols, committing adultery, thieves etc.) . But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Robert Chisholm Jr. says Ezekiel is using the image of ritual cleansing. There was a scene from The Chosen in which Peter’s wife did ritual cleansing in the hopes of curing her barrenness. We need to be cleansed of our sins. The blood does the same, in paying for our sin — but God uses both water and blood to represent our great need. Then He gives power through His Spirit.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from?
Filth and worshiping idols.
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often!
Needing approval from others to feel self worth.
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us.
We’ll be made new creatures in Christ. Given a new heart and spirit. Cleansed of our sins, our stubborn heart and given a tender responsive heart. We will receive the Holy Spirit to help us be obedient to His commands.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey.
Just yesterday at Walmart I was almost run over by a person coming behind me with a cart and His Spirit said to me, just step aside and let this person pass , don’t say anything. It turned out to be an old gentleman who was having problems walking. I’m glad I was obedient rather than turning around and giving him a piece of my mind!
Sharon, I love that you could hear his Spirit talking to you in that moment! Reminds me of a friend who at work as a nurse had a person who was particularly difficult to deal with and she chose to give this person grace and was so glad when she saw her at bible study THAT night! May we each be full of more grace. These types of stories are good to remind us all of the ways we are tempted to speak too quickly when we should be quiet.
Love this story from Sharon:
Just yesterday at Walmart I was almost run over by a person coming behind me with a cart and His Spirit said to me, just step aside and let this person pass , don’t say anything. It turned out to be an old gentleman who was having problems walking. I’m glad I was obedient rather than turning around and giving him a piece of my mind!
I so agree with Chris and Dee! Love that you felt the prompting of The Holy Spirit.
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5? Unless a person is born of water and spirit, they cannot see the kingdom of God.
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents. The washing of us from our uncleanliness, our sin.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from? Our idols.
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often! I mentioned a couple last week, comfort and control (it’s a constant battle).
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us. He will take away our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. He will put His spirit in us so that we can walk in His ways and follow His decrees.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey. I could write all day and not cover them all! One would be times when we were broke and there were things on my taxes that I could claim without any proof, to get more money back. I grew up knowing that my dad claimed non-existent children (in the days before kids had SS numbers) on his taxes. And I’ll admit that when we were first married, I did claim the max of whatever I could. But one year, as I was doing my taxes, I just felt God telling me that I was trusting money, not Him. That He can and will supply all of our needs and I needed trust that He would. I quit cheating on my taxes after that. We still struggled, but it wasn’t because of misplaced trust and dishonesty.
Oh, Dawn, I love your story about taxes! That is such a temptation and so easy to justify when we feel the government is corrupt, but you are so right that misplaced trust and dishonesty are more important to correct. I had a conversation with my son about this when he needed to title his vehicle and had the opportunity to write in whatever price he wanted for the vehicle price, allowing him to cheat on taxes paid for it. This is so common in our state. “Everyone does it.” I was glad to hear he chose to be honest. My argument to him was, what are you going to save? A hundred dollars maybe? But you live with the guilt of the thing.
Great parenting, Chris! My argument to him was, what are you going to save? A hundred dollars maybe? But you live with the guilt of the thing.
Dawn, appreciate you sharing the tax story too. My husband and I were having a conversation the night before last about how easy it would be to rip off Walmart when going through the self checkout, but God would know which would bring misery and make it hard to live with ourselves.
Love your tax story and that you could write all day of God’s Spirit helping you.
Love your honesty, Dawn and love that you heard God directing you.
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45? I admit I don’t fully understand the verse, but it seems the basis is that one who only repents but doesn’t have the Spirit, is more susceptible to falling into sin or having an unclean spirit enter than one who did not repent to begin with.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25? Repent and speak truth. This can be so hard but so freeing.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26? Do not sin by letting the sun go down on your anger, but seek forgiveness- I assume both from the offender and from the Lord. This is where the devil gets a foothold.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27? Actually, verse 28 says, no longer steal but do honest work with hands to have something to share with those in need. I love that my teenage daughter, who is working at our local ice cream shop and finding it doesn’t pay enough, came and asked me for a job to help meet her expenses this week-rather than just ask for a handout.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:28? V.29, let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up. Oh, how we each should be careful with our mouths. I’m sad to say my family is not good at this, though they fully admit it, it is not being turned from. Funny how easy it is to speak poorly of someone under a guise of a prayer request or concern, when the thing does not need to be mentioned. Maybe we need to put this verse in our family text for a time as a reminder.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? Without faith it is impossible to please him-it is our faith that helps us turn to him for strength, knowing we cannot turn from sin without him helping us. What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6? We must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. This days questions reminds me of a chart I’ve seen mentioned here and in another study of verses requiring us to put off a sinful behavior and put on a behavior pleasing to the Lord.
I think you have it — if we don’t replace with the Lord, the enemy moves in, for we turn to a different idol to meet our need.
So much wisdom in your answers, Chris. Words can be so harmful and negativity seems to grow, with just the small seeds of trashing others, no matter how we qualify them.
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45?
When we repent, our hearts must truly change. If our heart is not changed, the old spirit will return, multiplied. A pliable heart makes room for Jesus, and Jesus only. Habits need to change, though it can take time.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25?
He must speak truth and lay aside falsehoods. These changes must be deep from the heart, not just a temporary surface change.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26?
The angry person must control his emotions and let go of his anger before sundown. Do not carry the anger over to another day.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27?
The thief must repent of stealing and turn to do good; he must turn from his old ways and do things to help others. It is a wonderful thing to see a reformed lost soul help others to reform also, as in prison ministry.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:29
The trash talker must stop with unwholesome language and gossip and instead speak in ways to edify and encourage others. It is especially hard in families, or with friends, when they qualify their criticism of others. When I hear those kinds of conversations, I feel that they probably talk that way about me, when I am not around. It can be easy to fall into the enemies traps. If I don’t trash talk others, I will be more trusted, I’m the eyes of others. I pray that the Lord will help me filters negatives thoughts before they get to my tongue.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?
We must believe in God and have faith in Him, that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him. We must live to please God and not ourselves. This is the evidence of our true faith in Him, and not in ourselves. I can truly do nothing right in this life, without Him. My reliance and obedience is what He desires. He is a daily and hourly walk with Him.
Love this Patti…” When we repent, our hearts must truly change. If our heart is not changed, the old spirit will return, multiplied. A pliable heart makes room for Jesus, and Jesus only. Habits need to change, though it can take time.” (Put this with my notes.)
I like this too!
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45?
I think we have to look at what our motive is when repenting. If it’s just being sorry because we got caught then we haven’t done a 180. We have left ourselves open and vulnerable to the same sin and much worse. When our sorrow/repentance over sin is genuine and we ask for forgiveness, then we are right with God and His Spirit continually help us and grows stronger within us.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25?
Stop telling lies.
Tell your neighbors the truth.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26?
Stop sinning by letting anger control you.
Don’t let the sun go down while you’re angry.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:28?
Quit stealing.
Use your hands for good work, and then give generously to those in need.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:29?
Don’t use foul or abusive language.
Let everything you say be good, helpful and an encouragement to others.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?
It’s impossible to do all those things in our own strength…we need the Holy Spirit to guide us and be our conscience, standing firm in our faith.
We must believe that He is exists and that He is a rewarded of them that diligently seek Him.
Love your answer to 9., Sharon. Motive is so important and it must be genuine! So good!
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45?
You can repent and clean up your act, but if you are not authentic then you have no substance and more sin will replace the former sin. I get this, but I don’t. I’m a bit confused.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25?
A liar needs to stop lying. They then need to tell their neighbors the truth.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26?
An angry person needs to not be controlled by anger. He/she should not go to sleep angry.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27?
A thief needs to stop stealing. They need to use their hands for good works and give to others in need.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:28?
No foul or abusive language. Let their words be useful and good so they encourage others.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?
We may want to live in the flesh, but the flesh is doing us harm. By living in God’s way we are more successful, happy, and bring a positive nature to others. We must believe that God exists and rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Laura, This is so true: You can repent and clean up your act, but if you are not authentic then you have no substance and more sin will replace the former sin
Tuesday: Water, Blood, Spirit
Recently, in telling an atheist friend at pickleball about the fantastic success of the prison ministry of Discipleship Unlimited, she said, “You could accomplish the same thing without God.” I shook my head. She insisted, “Yes, you could.” You and I know that the power comes from the Spirit, the water, and the blood.
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5? – He tells him that unless one is born water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents. – Oh wow, I thought the same thing Dee, but this verse is making it sound like the sprinkling of the water to cleanse us from all uncleanliness is a shadowing of what Jesus will do on the cross for us??
Robert Chisholm Jr. says Ezekiel is using the image of ritual cleansing. There was a scene from The Chosen in which Peter’s wife did ritual cleansing in the hopes of curing her barrenness. We need to be cleansed of our sins. The blood does the same, in paying for our sin — but God uses both water and blood to represent our great need. Then He gives power through His Spirit.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from? – Our sinful nature; pride, greed, haughtiness, the list goes on.
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often! – Oh my, it is my mumbling and grumbling that I think I need to express, quietly to myself, under my breath. So why? Why do I continue when no one but myself and God can hear it. UGH!!
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us. – God will give us a new heart and put a new spirit in us. God will remove our hearts of stone and give us a heart of flesh. And by doing this, His Spirit will be in us and we will walk in His ways and obey his rules.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey. – What is coming to mind as I do this lesson is a time when I was working as the lead in our accounting department, and I had said something to one of my co-workers. She wasn’t acting like her normal self toward me after I voiced my concerns that I was seeing with her job performance. Being the lead, I had trained her and was the person they all came to with questions, but the way she was acting concerned me. I felt the Lord telling me to go and find out what was wrong, so I did. I had told her that I was concerned she wouldn’t be able to do her job because she had relied on another lady that was retiring. She was very offended and hurt that I thought she couldn’t do her job. I apologized that what I had said was not to hurt her in any way, but that I was worried she would be overwhelmed having to process all that was on her desk by herself once the other co-worker retired. She understood then and all was fine. But I just kept feeling a nagging in my spirit and knew something wasn’t right. Following the Lord’s leading and going to her to find out what was wrong and apologize was exactly what he wanted me to do. I definitely felt the tension between us, and we always got along quite well. So being obedient and listening or feeling the Lord’s guiding is so important to bring peace to situations we may come across.
Julie, I love that you listened to thee Holy Spirit and your tender heart toward the woman you trained.
Great story Julie about the power of an apology.
Tuesday: Water, Blood, Spirit
3. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5? Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (referring to verse 3, ye must be born again).
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents. This is the first time I have really studied this passage with any emphasis on “water and Spirit.” Only one commentary, Gill, referenced Ezekiel in agreement with Carson. Since the new birth (a new creation, old things pass away) is all of God and nothing we do ourselves, the born of water has to be something God does, doesn’t it? How then can it be physical birth involving parents or baptism involving physical water? It can’t. I believe the water is grace. It’s the grace of God, operating through the Holy Spirit, through the blood of Jesus that quickens us, and we are truly born again, an entirely new spiritual birth. I realize this is a long response, but it helped me to write down my thought process. I had always just accepted what I was told, that it meant water baptism, especially in light of John the Baptist’s ministry.
5. According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from? I always think of sanctification, Eph. 5:26,27 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often! CONTROL! This idol has led to unkind thoughts, unkind words/actions, and anger/bitterness. Almost 70 years old and that idol STILL raises its ugly head sometimes. Praise the Lord for the water of His Word and grace to help me “nip it in the bud.” 7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us. A new spirit (2 Co.4:16 inward man is renewed daily), the Holy Spirit lives IN us, new heart (Ro.8:29 conformed to Jesus), help us live and walk according to His ways (Titus 2:14 purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works). 8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey. How about this past hour when I had free time. I sat in a recliner, tv remote at my fingertips, tablet for gaming on my lap, “ah, time to relax.” “What about the Word, Cheryl? Your laptop is close by and you have not looked at the blog today. Pick up the laptop, open the word, study and meditate.” This might seem inconsequential, but for me the distractions of an easy going retired life are many. I need the help of the Holy Spirit often throughout my days.
Cheryl, I love your study on the water being grace. Thank you. It makes so much sense. And your honesty in number 8- so true, we need him every hour.
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45? – If we don’t change the way we live after we repent, the evil will find a place to come right back in. We need to get rid of the old person we used to be and create in ourselves a new heart for Jesus. Fruit needs to be seen in our lives.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25? – We need to get rid of the lives, speak the truth to each other and be as one body.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26? – We are to not sin and not let the sun go down on our anger. We need to make a point of working our disagreements out with each other and not let the issue simmer and boil over.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:28? – The thief should not steal anymore and go to work and make an honest living with his own hands so he will have something to share with others.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:29? – They should not let anything corrupt come out of their mouths and should only speak in such a way as to build someone up; to help them so others who may be listening will hear grace being given.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6? – We, as sinners, cannot accomplish any of these things without first seeking out God on a daily basis. The Word of God tells us how we are to live, treat others and how to seek Him out. If we don’t, on a daily basis, fill out new hearts up with His goodness and love, we will not do any of the things stated in Ephesians 4. We need to believe that He will be with us if we seek him. That He will help us if we seek him. That he will provide what we need daily, if we seek Him.
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45? If nothing good takes the place of the unclean spirit/confessed sin, then that same spirit/sin will return in even greater force.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25? Stop lying and speak truth.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26? If you are angry, don’t let the anger lead to sinful words/behavior, and be reconciled quickly with the person you are angry with.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27? Steal no more, and find gainful employment which enables you to then help others.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:28? Stop talking corruptly/trash/gossip, and speak in way that edifies who you are talking to extending grace to them.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?I It is only by faith and dependence on God that I can live a life that is pleasing to Him. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45? Because if you only repent you are left open to fill your heart with more evil, you have to repent and fill your heart with truth.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25? Not only stop lying, but speak the truth.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26? Do not sin and don’t let the sun set on your anger.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27? (28) Stop stealing and labor in honest work.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:28? (29) Stop the trash talk and only speak good, uplifting things.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? The things that He’s requiring of us can only be done through the strength of His spirit in us. What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6? That He exists and that He rewards those who believe.
Thursday: Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul
Our enemy is a liar who wants to bring us down — it isn’t enough not to listen, we must replace His lies with truth. I’m going to give you a few of his lies and you replace them with a scriptural truth.
15. No one truly cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.”
16. God has abandoned you.
Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children.
Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.)
Lamentations 3:22-24, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him.”
Great verse from Lamentations, Sharon! Love the hymn too.
15. No one truly cares for you. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
16. God has abandoned you. Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come , nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children. 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.) 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Chris, I love the scripture from 2 Corinthians you gave in answer to #18. It is so helpful for keeping perspective.
Amen to Bev! Love all of our various responses! God is so good!
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45?
—I looked at some thoughts by Wiersbe and he said this is an example of “reformation without inward regeneration. The “house” had been swept clean, but it was still empty.” Speaking of the religious Jews that Jesus was talking to in this passage he said “they had religion and outward morality, but their hearts were empty and their religion was vain.
This same thing happens to individuals. How easy it is to “reform,” join a church, and live respectably, without Jesus Christ dwelling in the heart. This “false righteousness” will last only for a time; then Satan will get hold of that empty life and ruin it. Religion means cleaning up the outside; salvation means new life and holiness on the inside.”
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25?
—He must stop telling lies and start telling the truth.
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26?
—Not let anger control themselves and don’t hang onto your anger.
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:28?
—A thief must quit stealing. Then use their energies to do good hard work and share with others in need.
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:29?
—Stop using foul or abusive words.
Instead say what is good and helpful and be an encourager.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves?
—Bottom line is we need to invite Jesus into our lives and to fill our hearts with his presence and the power to live rightly. He is the One who cleanses our sin and as we place our faith in him he brings new life into our hearts and lives. We have no power apart from Him.
What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?
—That He exists and He will reward those who sincerely seek Him.
It is a heart issue or as Paige Brown told us “Its the heart, Stupid!”
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Jeremiah 29:13 NLT
Great from Wiersbe about Pharisees and warning to us:
“they had religion and outward morality, but their hearts were empty and their religion was vain.
Amen to Dee: This is golden! Bev, I also love the reminder of Paige’s saying! “It’s the heart, Stupid!”😉
Thursday: Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul
Our enemy is a liar who wants to bring us down — it isn’t enough not to listen, we must replace His lies with truth. I’m going to give you a few of his lies and you replace them with a scriptural truth.
15. No one truly cares for you.
—“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 ESV
16. God has abandoned you.
—“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children.
—“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.)
—“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:1-5 NLT
—I loved this exercise. How beautifully God’s Word speaks to each of these lies from the enemy of our souls. Truth the replaces each lie and it just simply does our hearts good to hear from God. 💕
I loved this exercise too, Bev! Love that we all found different verses, and some of the same verses! 💕 Iron sharpens iron💕
I love the Romans passage. Thanks.
Our enemy is a liar who wants to bring us down — it isn’t enough not to listen, we must replace His lies with truth. I’m going to give you a few of his lies and you replace them with a scriptural truth.
15. No one truly cares for you.
Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away on barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more than they?”
16. God has abandoned you. Isaiah 41:10. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 62:8 “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.). Isaiah 4t:4 “Even to your old age I am He, even when you turn gray I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you.”
Psalm 73:26 “Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.”
Great verses, Patti.
I just want to go through everyone’s answers and write all these great verses in my journal. 🥹
Patti, I love that verse from Isaiah in your answer to #18. God gave me that promise for my Mom near the end of her life. And I as a gray haired old woman can claim it for myself. 😊💕
Monday: Ezekiel Saw The Wheel
2. Read Ezekiel 11:14-25
A. According to verses 14-15, what were the Israelites in Jerusalem saying about their brothers who had been scattered to other nations? they are far away from the Lord; this land was given to us as our possession.
B. According to verse 16, what is the first thing God tells Ezekiel to tell those in Jerusalem about their scattered brothers?
Although He sent them far away, yet for a little while God was their sanctuary in the countries where they had gone.
C. Share a time when you were facing distress, yet God was a sanctuary to you.
During the years of the pandemic, our daughter was living in Seattle. It was a very unsettling time for us being so far away from us and more especially when my mother in the Philippines got very sick. Although she recovered and was cared for at home, she died in 2021 (not from the pandemic). We couldn’t go back home to attend her funeral due to travel restrictions. Our daughter, Ruth, was as devastated as me. Our family and friends in the Philippines rallied together and made a way to have her funeral on video. What a very sad day it was to watch my mom’s burial with Ruth in Seattle and me in Missouri. Through the sorrow and tears, I have experienced God as my sanctuary. He orchestrated so many important details to ease our pain and bring comfort at our time of loss. god has also provided this blog to be an earthly sanctuary for me through your loving words of comfort.
D. What promise is given to those who will listen to the “Stonecutter” in verses 17-20?
He will gather all from the nations where he has scattered them and bring them back to the land of Israel. They will return to it and remove all idols, give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them and give them a heart of flesh, and remove a heart of stone.
E. What is a divided heart? James also calls it double-minded. How have the Israelites been serving multiple gods? How do we?
Straddling the fence? Wanting to please God but also wanting to please man. I think all the things that John Piper said apply to this.
F. What will God do to those who resist according to Ezekiel 10:21?
He will bring down on their heads what they have done. This means that what they think their idols would give them will be the cause of their downfall. Example: love for money brings increasing dissatisfaction as you try to accumulate it, and just like Proverbs says, “not enough!” Discontent can lead to disillusionment, and disillusionment to despair.
Bing, what a sweet story of God’s faithfulness to you during the pandemic. It reminds me of the story from David Platt in his podcast on the armor of God and how he received special circumstances during a spiritual attack, which showed him God’s love for him.
Tuesday: Water, Blood, Spirit
Recently, in telling an atheist friend at pickleball about the fantastic success of the prison ministry of Discipleship Unlimited, she said, “You could accomplish the same thing without God.” I shook my head. She insisted, “Yes, you could.” You and I know that the power comes from the Spirit, the water, and the blood.
1. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in John 3:5?
No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
4. I was always puzzled about what the water represented. The first birth? Baptism? No. Don Carson says the answer can be found in Ezekiel 36:25. Read that and explain what “the water” represents.
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.”
Robert Chisholm Jr. says Ezekiel is using the image of ritual cleansing. There was a scene from The Chosen in which Peter’s wife did ritual cleansing in the hopes of curing her barrenness. We need to be cleansed of our sins. The blood does the same, in paying for our sin — but God uses both water and blood to represent our great need. Then He gives power through His Spirit.
According to the above, what is something that God’s divine water can cleanse us from?
Cleanse us from all impurities, and all idols.
6. Give an example from your life of an idol from which God is cleansing you, perhaps often!
The idols of approval and control.
7. Meditate on Ezekiel 36:26-27 and describe the promise to the Israelites and to us.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
8. Share a time when His Spirit spoke truth to you and helped you obey.
Having my cousin here has been used by God to continue to cleanse me of impurities and idols. My critical attitude of Filipino ways has been put to the front again as I relate to her. She is also baffled by our ways here. I pray that love will prevail in my heart and be reminded that I have a new heart since I accepted Christ and no longer a slave to my natural self. She loves the Lord and often has looked up to me as an older cousin. I see our time here as an opportunity to bring truth to our conversations rather than see things based only on cultural traditions and expectations. And a few times, the Spirit has prompted me to hold my tongue and am thankful I did. Romans 12:1-13 is a good passage (living sacrifice, renewed mind, no thinking highly of myself, sicnere love, honoring others) for me to think about as I relate to my cousin.
What a sweet time with your cousin,Bing. Love the verse from Romans. I love how the Lord prompts and touches our hearts. You have a tender heart for His voice. He can use our differences to bond us in His way.
so good to catch up here! The Word of God speaks to my heart like no other.
Wednesday: Two Steps in Replacing Stones with Flesh
9. Why isn’t it enough to just repent according to Matthew 12:43-45?
It can lead to other sins if our hearts are not changed and we are just doing lip service.
10. What two things must the liar do according to Ephesians 4:25?
Put off falsehood and speak truth
11. What two things must the angry person do according to Ephesians 4:26?
Do not let the sun go down and still be angry and do not give the devil a foothold
12. What two things must the thief do according to Ephesians 4:27?
He must stop stealing work and do something useful with his hands
13. What two things must the trash-talking person do according to Ephesians 4:28?
Stop unwholesome talk and speak words tat are helpful to build others up.
14. In all of the above, how does this call for dependence on God instead of ourselves? What must we believe about Him according to Hebrews 11:6?
We cannot do the above in our own strength as the natural self wants to give in to its pride and desire for self-preservation. Only with faith can we please God and that He will reward those who seek Him, meaning He will provide us what we need to do the right thing.
Oh Bing, this is so true. “We cannot do the above in our own strength as the natural self wants to give in to its pride and desire for self-preservation. Only with faith can we please God and that He will reward those who seek Him, meaning He will provide us what we need to do the right thing.”
Thursday: Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul
Our enemy is a liar who wants to bring us down — it isn’t enough not to listen, we must replace His lies with truth. I’m going to give you a few of his lies and you replace them with a scriptural truth.
15. No one truly cares for you. – Job 16:19-21 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.
16. God has abandoned you. – Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you for forsake you.
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children. – Psalm 107:5-6 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.) – I Corinthians 15:42-44 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
More great verses 🙂
15. No one truly cares for you. Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord
16. God has abandoned you. Matthew 28:20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children. Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.) Yes my body is falling apart. Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.
Love all of our sharing. Great verses, Dawn.
The Romans passage should be etched on our hearts.
Yes!
15. No one truly cares for you.
He knows every hair on my head.
“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
Luke 12:7 NLT
16. God has abandoned you.
He has always been with me.
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4 NLT
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children.
He helped Joseph, Ruth, and David. He will help me too.
“But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden.”
Genesis 39:21 NLT
“Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.”
Ruth 4:14 NLT
“David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
1 Samuel 17:45 NLT
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.)
He has rescued me from cancer. BUT…my hope lies in the eternal life He has provided with the death of His only Son.
““Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.””
Luke 22:42 NLT
Laura, I liked how you responded to each one and then followed with scripture from which that response came…so good!!
☺️
Amen!
Amen to Sharon! Love the way you did this Laura. Love the verses.
Beautiful.
Laura, I always love your ability to answer the questions in such good succinct ways. 🤔 Actually I envy that ability. 😊
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it?
I have the stone of fear. I am looking up many verses on this. Psalm 34:4-5 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from my fears. Those who looked to Him were radiant. And their faces will never be ashamed.” His Word calms my heart.I love and learn from all the verses we each shared. I agree with Chris, I want to write all of our various verses in my journal. We all have stones and fears and more, yet here with kindred spirits, our spirits lift one another and draw us closer to Jesus and to each other. This lesson is also prompting me to send some of others verses to friends who are struggling with health, loss and life issues. The Word of the Lord never fails. How I Praise His Name. How I thank God that I live in a free country where we can study His Word, without fear. His Word helps me to reflect and re-focus on Him. Praising His Name reminds me of the many daily answers to prayer I receive. He will not fail us, even when we cannot understand things. We spend a lot of time “in the middle”….waiting on the Lord, yet He is faithful.
Thank you for this great lessons, Dee! What a blessing!
Patti — I remember Yvonne telling me to memorize Psalm 34 to overcome my fears when Steve was gone all night on call. So good.
Yes, Dee, memorizing is so valuable! Oh, sweet Yvonne!
Those verses from Psalm 34 are so good and memorizing that Psalm is such a good idea Dee. Another encouragement for those who “fear the Lord”
Thank you Patti! I love this idea of writing the verses and remembering together! I also love the idea of sending them to friends.
Thursday: Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul
15. No one truly cares for you, 1 John 3:16a. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us,”
16. God has abandoned you. Romans 8:38,39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children. Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.) 2Corinthians 4:16,17 “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” Colossians 1:23 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
Friday: Addressing Your Idols
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? I agree with Patti, fear. What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it? I think repeating some of these verses could be very helpful. My son got a bracelet at VBS with Isaiah 41:10 on it and he gave it to me. I’ve been working at memorizing this. I haven’t been very diligent about scripture memory for a long time and this is something I want to improve on as I think it will help a lot in this area as the stone cutter can work on my heart when I am in the word.
I think memorization has helped me perhaps the most of any discipline.
I appreciate hearing that. It encourages me to keep pressing on as it’s not something that comes easy for me.
It is hard for me too, Chris. I am going to do more of it.
Friday: Addressing Your Idols
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it?
—A stone that I struggle with is the issue of personal discipline and seeking comfort in the wrong places. But I find more and more as I keep bringing my focus back off of self and onto Jesus I am encouraged and helped.
Yesterday’s lesson on Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul was a strong reminder of looking to God and his Word to give the wisdom I need for my daily living.
I am presently in the book of Proverbs in my daily Bible reading. A reoccurring theme is “fear of the Lord”. These are some thoughts from “Everyday Gospel” by Paul Tripp. He says “Here’s what this fear is about. Our hearts are awe centers. This means that something always captures the awe of our hearts, and what captures the awe of our hearts will then control the way we live. Fear of God—life-shaping, worship-producing, and obedience-motivating awe of God—is the only thing that can capture our heart and has the capacity to give us life. Fear of God is a fountain of life, renewing our lives day after day.”
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”
Psalms 111:10 NLT
Friday: Addressing Your Idols
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it?
The stone in my heart is criticism which I know stems from idols of approval and control.
I need to…
Run to the Lord, for He is my Sanctuary.
Ask to be cleansed from this sin by seeking forgiveness and having a repentant heart.
Replace the lies (sooner than later) that allow this stone to keep popping up with His truth.
Remember that I can’t do this in my own strength but only with the help from the Holy Spirit.
I just love this entire answer, Sharon: Run to the Lord, for He is my Sanctuary. Ask to be cleansed from this sin by seeking forgiveness and having a repentant heart.
Replace the lies (sooner than later) that allow this stone to keep popping up with His truth.Remember that I can’t do this in my own strength but only with the help from the Holy Spirit.
Sharon, Your (I need to: answers) are so very good.
I share that stone and appreciate your answers, too.
Friday: Addressing Your Idols
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it?
Control which is really selfishness and pride. I’ve learned this week that it’s not enough to repent, the stone needs to be replaced with something. I’ve been reminded that I cannot do that in my own strength.
Thursday: Replace Lies with Speaking Truth to Your Soul
Our enemy is a liar who wants to bring us down — it isn’t enough not to listen, we must replace His lies with truth. I’m going to give you a few of his lies and you replace them with a scriptural truth.
15. No one truly cares for you.
My heart breaks for the families of those lost in the floodwaters of Texas and North Carolina. My grief would be very overwhelming, and this could be a lie to many of them nowadays. I have had this feeling before. Oh, how truth sends darkness away.
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Song Lilies and Sparrows by Jessica Ray
2 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you.
Song: No one ever cared for me like Jesus by Steffany Kretzinger
16. God has abandoned you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
17. God will not help you with the problem you are facing, whether it is finances, your marriage, or your children.
. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
18. Your body is falling apart, death, is a disease, and there’s no hope. (Two lies and a truth – -the way Satan tricks us.)
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Friday: Addressing Your Idols
19. What is a “stone” in your heart that keeps popping up? What have you learned from this lesson that might be helpful in overcoming it?
I have more than one stone in my heart, but I know they all boil down to pride, the sin underneath the sin. Prayer and the Word of God help me every time pride rears its ugly head. Waiting for the ________ (emotion/feeling brought about) to subside before responding, asking God to point me to a specific word from the Word, bringing to mind verses I have memorized. This verse in Proverbs 16:18 is a good start when I need a whack on the side of my head or a wake-up call: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. I also believe that talking to God about my feelings and asking him to help me sort it out and to put a desire in my heart to honor Him when I want to give it to my flesh is a big help for me.
Bing, so true about having more than one stone…me too. I especially like this that your wrote…”I also believe that talking to God about my feelings and asking him to help me sort it out and to put a desire in my heart to honor Him when I want to give it to my flesh is a big help for me.”
Saturday:
20. What is your takeaway and why?
Yesterday, I was wearing a shirt I had bought at our church’s women’s conference last year and someone said to me, Hey, I like your shirt. I realized, I had forgotten which verse was on the back. When I looked at it this morning, I felt it summed up what I have learned this week. It’s Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Isn’t this what we have been learning this week? And how we need to stay in the word and community for this to happen? Yesterday, I was feeling overwhelmed with trying to copy verses in my journal from the blog and short on time and didn’t copy one. Today, I felt the Spirit saying, it’s okay. Just take what you need for today. And that’s so true. I’m like the Israelite wanting to take up all the manna in the desert in one moment, when all I need is enough for today.
Great verse Chris! I did the same thing ~I got overwhelmed what I started writing all of the verses in my journal.🥰 I am going to do it.
Yes, wonderful verse from Romans 15:13 and it does fit this study perfectly!
20. What is your takeaway and why?
This week has shown me the importance of seeking God first and in all things. This is part of abiding in Him. His Word is the bread of life. I see Iron sharpening iron in our answers. It is a beautiful weaving of kindred spirits, coming together in sharing His Word and worshiping the Lord. I love the two verses on seeking:
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
He is our source, our bread of life. He needs to have first place in our life, more important than our own image or our desires and then our hearts will be teachable, and stone free. When I seek on my own, I don’t have the wisdom and joy from the perspectives of each of you amazing women of God. When we share our hurts, pains, joys and failures, they dissipate. When we read each other’s responses, we grow in Christ and in relationship with Him and with one another.
YES! To this post. You truly bless us Patti. 💕
Amen to Bev, Patti.
Amen, Patti! I find this blog a sharp tool from God to keep us in His word and focused on Him.
Patti, I agree..you and all the ladies here are such a blessing❤️
I found this hymn that I thought went well with what you wrote here…
https://youtu.be/S5KsKsEu0v0?si=fcKQKunR4wRM5kxj
You all bless me, daily!!Thank you for this wonderful link to this hymn, Sharon! 💕
Amen to everything shared here. Our little sanctuary. I’m so grateful.