After about a 2 month gap, our little study group was able to get together yesterday. The guys had their study session between services, so it provided a perfect opportunity for me to have the ladies over for lunch and study. Debbie was scheduled to work yesterday morn but managed to swap so she could come, so we had our full complement of six ladies (plus a couple of little boys who enjoyed playing together all afternoon).
Our topic verse was: Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. It provided fuel for a very good study and discussion.
We discussed our "abundant life": Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
...how we should no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ: 2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
...the truths about Jesus and His care for us: Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
There was a statement in our study guide that I felt was so true. It mentioned how we must have a core allegiance to something in our lives and listed the following:
* self and all its interests, concerns and dreams
* the approval of others, seeking to meet all their expectations first and foremost
* the culture and what is popular, trendy, expected and valued by society
* God, all that He is, all that He is doing, and where He is leading
That pretty well sums it up, doesn't it? It is so easy to know which we should choose, but how often do we really do it?
Just before bedtime I received a call from Anita. She'd just gotten off the phone with Debbie. If you will remember, Debbie was immersed into Christ last December. When she learned the truth, she HAD to obey immediately. Well, evidently our study yesterday was working mightily on her heart. She lives about 45 miles from the churchhouse and about 60 miles from us. She is a single mother, struggling to provide good childcare for her son while she has to work. She works mosts Sundays, so she usually can only attend Lord's Day evening services (she gets a couple of Sundays off about every six weeks). Her job supervisor is NOT sympathetic to her faith, to say the least. We encouraged her to think about moving closer. She has no support system where she lives and we would love to be able to better provide that for her. By the time she got home last evening, she had determined to quit her job (today!), put her house up for sale, and apply for a job here in MW (today!). I was reminded of the scripture: Mt 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
It is so inspiring to see God's Word work so mightily in a person's heart! Please keep Debbie in your prayers...that she will be able to find a job soon that will meet her needs, that we will be able to provide the support and assistance that will help her through this transition, and that she will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
