what really matters?

The LORD does not see as man sees; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart! ~1 Samuel 16:7

November Bible Study notes!

What does it look like to be a woman of faith? We all have our loved heroes of faith: men and women who we look up to and want to aspire to be like in character and godliness. Question: who comes to mind when you think of a faithful person? WHY? They are faithful people. Sometimes so committed to GOD, that they gave their very life for Him. Betsie & Corrie ten Boom. Gladys Alward. George Mueller. John and Betty Stam. Darlene Rose. And from the Bible – Paul, Esther, Joseph, Mary, Daniel. How were these men and women faithful? What did they have that made them give their all for Christ and the sake of the Gospel? Were they somehow different than us? Could we even try to walk after their pattern of faith? Faithfulness – Greek Biblical definition- firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth. From the dictionary: full of faith; steadfast in affection or allegiance; dedicated and loyal. Yes, we believe in God for salvation, and this is faith! For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast – Ephesians 2:8-9. We continue to live that faith out by believing Who He is and what He says – every day. He is worth believing and trusting. He can be believed. Faithfulness. Convinced and firmly persuaded that God is Who He says He is, and keeping surrendered and obedient to Him. 
You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God. ~ J.Hudson Taylor

To live so as to please GOD. We’re currently involved with BSF for young adults, and this past week, we studied about the life of Enoch, from Genesis 5:18-24. Not much is given about Enoch’s life, except that he started walking with God after his son Methusaleh was born – and he walked with God for 300 years and then God took him home (“he was not”)! Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us a little more about Enoch pleasing God.  By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Did you hear that part? Without faith it is impossible to please God! Enoch pleased God. Without faith it is impossible to please God! So faith pleases Him. A life set apart to please God. The faithful are those who please God. We’re to believe He exists. We’re to earnestly seek Him! He rewards those who do. 

So, how do we live, pleasing God? In the Old Testament, the people were commanded to give sacrifices to atone for their sin, to thank God, for peace, for unintentional sins, for guilt. Jesus’ blood has paid the full price for our sins - His death satisfied what God required. Ephesians 1:6, He made us accepted in the Beloved. So for us as believers, even though we’re accepted because of Christ, we can still offer sacrifices that please the Lord: Psalm 27:6, shouts of joy; Psalm 51:17, a humble spirit; Hebrews 13:15-17, a sacrifice of praise, to acknowledge His name and share what we have/do good; Psalm 116:17, a thank offering. These things are pleasing to God! But, back to faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Like Enoch, how do we walk with God every day, moment by moment? Any ideas? How do we “walk by faith and not by sight”? as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:7… trusting HIM, rather than just looking at our circumstances for peace and joy. How often do you struggle to maintain a cheerful spirit when the life around you is total chaos? It’s so easy to lose focus of GOD, and to instead have a magnified view of problems.  Nancy DeMoss has shared, we should say “yes, Lord!” every day! Surrender to Him. Obey what you know He’s asked of you in His Word. In order to believe Truth, you need to know it. Pray for heart knowledge, not only head knowledge. Moment by moment faithfulness. And when you sin, accept responsibility for that, turn to God in repentance and walk in obedience again. 

Know that your faithfulness/obedience impacts those around you and those who come after you. Romans 1:12, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

GOD is GOD. He is good. He is worthy of all my worship. We must “preach” this to ourselves over and over again. This is how we encourage ourselves in the Lord. Remind yourselves of the truth = God’s Word. Acts 5:38-39, if my current path is of ME only, it will probably fail. But if it is of GOD, then HIS plan will prevail. Do we really believe that God’s Word is true when He says His ways are higher than ours? (Isaiah 55:8-9). And, that He can do above and beyond what we could ever ask or think? (Ephesians 3:17). Our faith should not be based solely on what God is doing. When He appears to be inactive, He’s still at work. That’s why faith is believing what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). God does beyond what we could understand. His ways are wonderful. We love Him and He promises to work all things together for good – for His glory (Romans 8:28). Proverbs 16, God’s plans and purposes will prevail. Daniel 4:35, none can stay God’s hand, or say to Him, what are you doing? Ultimately, remember that He knows your heart: Isaiah 40:28, His understanding is unsearchable! His perfect plan for my life can be trusted. Let Him have His way! This is faith!

How do we get off the roller coaster of being up one day and down the next? What to do when you’re tired: confess it. Confession is agreeing with God and telling the truth about a matter. We need to get to the point where we can express it to the Lord – speak it to Him! Remember that Satan wants us to have distance and separation from God, but Jesus invites us to draw close to Him. Like David says in Psalm 62:8, pour out your heart to Him. And then you can then confess what is true about Him and what He can do – agree with Him as to what is true. This brings healing and hope and peace. Have faith based on WHO God is. You walk with Him and believe Him – to seek His heart. His heart is loving, good and faithful. Start having a life of gratitude. We have to learn to encourage ourselves in the Lord, as David did.

Extra Scriptures relating to Faithfulness: 

Faithfulness to God is impossible unless it springs from a trusting, believing heart!

Faithfulness is simply believing that God will keep His Word.

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

We live by promises, not by what we see. Encourage yourself daily in the Lord. Reject the devil's lies, and build up your faith upon God's Word.

Romans 12:1-2 - In becoming a living sacrifice which is acceptable to God, we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

To be transformed, we must put off the old sinful man ~ Colossians 3:9-10

Evil company corrupts good morals ~ 1 Corinthians 15:33

We should be a companion of those who fear God and keep His commandments ~ Ps. 119:63

In this world, we should be lovers of God ~ 2 Timothy 3:4-5

Just as we eat 3 meals a day to sustain our physical bodies, we must also feast on God's word daily to sustain our souls.

Why are people spiritually destroyed? Lack of knowledge of God's word ~ Hosea 4:6

The more we study the Bible, the stronger our faith will be ~ Romans 10:17

James 1:21 says the implanted word of God is able to save our souls.

We will grow spiritually when we desire and partake of the word of God ~ 1 Peter 2:22

Jeremiah 17:7-8

If there were no difficulties, there could be no triumphs!

we will face opposition.  We are told that, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).  As persecution comes our way, "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).

God defends those who put their trust in Him ~ Psalm 5:11

"we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age" (Titus 2:13) and "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

~This month we wrote notes of gratitude and encouragement to men and women serving overseas~

"Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, ' I will try again tomorrow.' " --Mary Ann Radmacher.