I’m studying the topic of “courage” today with Sheila Walsh and Kat. This Bible study is taken from Sheila’s book: Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts. Kat is offering this study with participation on her blog. I think it's great! Who knows…when we study with Kat and Sheila, we may all become dynamic “women of faith!”
Kat posted an excerpt from Sheila’s book and this was my favorite line: We will never understand this side of eternity what it cost Christ to take on himself all the sin of a broken planet. But just as our devastation began in a garden with Adam and Eve, so our restoration began in Gethsemane. Having poured out his heart to his father, Christ turned to all that was ahead. That is courage.
The first scripture in today’s study was Job 33: 29-30.
29 "Behold, God does all these things,
twice,(AR) three times, with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit,
that he may be lighted with(AS) the light of life.
Thinking about this verse today reminds me that God is relentless in rescuing His people. It takes courage to look at myself and talk to God and repent. God is always ready to help me out of the pit. I am the only one who can keep myself there.
The second verse we studied is Joshua 1:1-9:
After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Seaa in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
I noticed Joshua is told three times to be courageous in this passage. I observed, too, how Joshua is reminded to keep God’s instructions. Personally, when fear tangles with me, I not only read Bible passages more than once, but I find various translations to make sure I fully comprehend the Word.
Jesus’ style is not to control me, but He allows the pain in life to release growth. Pain in a testing time is used to deepen my trust in Him and although I want to escape, I know He is with me on my journey. His Word changes me and renews my mind. Fear is one feeling that tries to reel me in every time when I’m under duress. I think this is why I gravitated to the passage in my opening statement from Sheila’s book where Jesus was in Gethsemane. Jesus was like me. He didn’t like the pain in the garden either. But He did His father’s will. (I want to say “like me” here, too. I’m working on it!) The best way to deal with fear is to face it. It takes courage. I must have Jesus with me. He renews my mind. He promises never to leave me.
In my current time of testing, I’m working on releasing control of a difficult situation. Journaling what God reveals about it to me from His perspective reinforces my faith. For example, I got a great word from Psalms this morning in my quiet time reminding me to let God order my steps today. He promises to tell me the way to go and I can walk in it. Now I can fill in these blanks on Kat's blog: Because God said_______________, I’ll_________________ and make it my prayer. Because God said He’ll tell me the way to go, I’ll relinquish my control of the situation!
A question like this is a great way to journal! In fact you may want to study with us. Click here for Kat's blog featuring Sheila's Bible Study.
Kat posted an excerpt from Sheila’s book and this was my favorite line: We will never understand this side of eternity what it cost Christ to take on himself all the sin of a broken planet. But just as our devastation began in a garden with Adam and Eve, so our restoration began in Gethsemane. Having poured out his heart to his father, Christ turned to all that was ahead. That is courage.
The first scripture in today’s study was Job 33: 29-30.
29 "Behold, God does all these things,
twice,(AR) three times, with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit,
that he may be lighted with(AS) the light of life.
Thinking about this verse today reminds me that God is relentless in rescuing His people. It takes courage to look at myself and talk to God and repent. God is always ready to help me out of the pit. I am the only one who can keep myself there.
The second verse we studied is Joshua 1:1-9:
After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Seaa in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
I noticed Joshua is told three times to be courageous in this passage. I observed, too, how Joshua is reminded to keep God’s instructions. Personally, when fear tangles with me, I not only read Bible passages more than once, but I find various translations to make sure I fully comprehend the Word.
Jesus’ style is not to control me, but He allows the pain in life to release growth. Pain in a testing time is used to deepen my trust in Him and although I want to escape, I know He is with me on my journey. His Word changes me and renews my mind. Fear is one feeling that tries to reel me in every time when I’m under duress. I think this is why I gravitated to the passage in my opening statement from Sheila’s book where Jesus was in Gethsemane. Jesus was like me. He didn’t like the pain in the garden either. But He did His father’s will. (I want to say “like me” here, too. I’m working on it!) The best way to deal with fear is to face it. It takes courage. I must have Jesus with me. He renews my mind. He promises never to leave me.
In my current time of testing, I’m working on releasing control of a difficult situation. Journaling what God reveals about it to me from His perspective reinforces my faith. For example, I got a great word from Psalms this morning in my quiet time reminding me to let God order my steps today. He promises to tell me the way to go and I can walk in it. Now I can fill in these blanks on Kat's blog: Because God said_______________, I’ll_________________ and make it my prayer. Because God said He’ll tell me the way to go, I’ll relinquish my control of the situation!
A question like this is a great way to journal! In fact you may want to study with us. Click here for Kat's blog featuring Sheila's Bible Study.
Awesome study.
ReplyDeleteI loved that you have posted your response here. I couldn't wait to open it up and find out how God spoke to you through this study.
ReplyDeleteI too loved those lines about Jesus' courage and how grieved and distraught he was over what God had called Him to do. He really didn't want to, but stepped out in faith and trusted God to fulfill His end.
I loved your response to the fill in the blanks and love to see how this has uniquely spoke to each and every one of us doing this!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Sounds like such a good study! I am so glad you all are doing this :) No doubt God will do amazing things in each one of you!
ReplyDeleteI prayed first sister Mary for the Lord to remove this temptation before reading your post. Of me, thinking about that pot of coffee and the carrot cake with buttercream frosting! Drool...drool...
ReplyDeleteBummed out here that I am not able to participate at this time. But reading your post and sister Kat's and others, surely encourage me so much.
There is no deep pit that God is not able to reach out and help us out. I'm glad we serve a God Who provides us His strength so we can overcome our fears in anything.
Now...may I have a slice of that awesome cake? :) I brought some "french vanilla creamer"...Thank you! For your prayers. God bless and keep you always. Be strong in the Lord's mighty power! Love to you sister!