Merry Christmas 2009!

Praise the Lord it is Christmas Eve!  
My very very very most favorite time of the year!  
A time for celebrating the birth of Christ and listening to the Pastor tell the Greatest Story Ever Told.  
Which is never old or boring.  
The Greatest Story Ever Told is in fact, The Greatest Story Ever Told!  
It is indeed fact and I discover scripture anew in the Word of God every year I read the story to my children, as I listen to them sing Happy Birthday Jesus!  
This is one birthday celebration I don't want to ever miss out on.  
Thank you Jesus for inviting me every year!  
And that my dear readers, is a gift worth receiving every year!  
This year we celebrated 25 days till Christmas memorizing scripture.  
I thought I would share those scriptures with you. 
The condensed version is for the younger ones.

1. For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

A child is born.

2.  Surely this is our God; we trusted in him and he saved us.  This is the Lord, we trusted in him, let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

Isaiah 25:9

This is our God.

3.  Bethlehem, though you are small, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.

Micah 5:2

Jesus will be born in Bethlehem.

4.  Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:30

Mary, Do not be afraid.

5.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

Luke 1:31

Mary will have a baby and name him Jesus.

6.  He will be great and be called the son of the Most High God.

Luke 1:32

Jesus will be the Son of God.

7.  For nothing is impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

Nothing is impossible with God.

8.  Mary answered, I am the Lord's servant.  May it be to me as you have said.  Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38

Mary told the angel, I am the Lord's servant.

9.  Mary will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

Jesus will save his people from their sins.

9.  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him "Immanuel", which means "God with us".

Matthew 1:23

The baby will be called Immanuel, which means God with us.

10. There was a census in the city that required Joseph to return to his home town, Bethlehem. He took Mary and they left.

 Luke 2:1-5

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem.

11.  Mary had the baby in Bethlehem and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger.

Luke 2:7

Jesus was born, wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger.

12.  There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Luke 2:8

Shepherds looked after their sheep at night.

13.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2: 9-10

An angel told the shepherds, I bring you good news.

14.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Today a Savior is born.

15.  This will be a sign to you, You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:12

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

16.  The angels sang,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:14

The angels sang, Glory to God!

17.  The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:16

The shepherds found the baby lying in a manger.

18.  When the shepherds seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Luke 2:17-18

The shepherds spread the word about baby Jesus.

19.  Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

Mary's heart was filled with joy.

20.  The wise men had been traveling from the east following a star they believed would lead them to the one who will be born King of the Jews.

Matthew 2:1-2

Three wise men followed a star looking for a King.

21.  When King Herod heard about the wise men, he met with them and told them to report back to him when they find the baby born King of the Jews.

Matthew 2:8

The King told the wise men to tell him when they find baby Jesus.

22.  The wise men left the King and followed the star to where the child was. When they saw the star over where the child was they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Matthew 2:9-11a

The wise men followed the star to where Jesus was and bowed down before him.

23.  The wise men opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. They returned back east without reporting back to the King.

Matthew 2:11b-12

The wise men gave baby Jesus three gifts, gold, incense and myrrh.

24.  When the King realized that the wise men found the baby born King of the Jews but failed to return and tell him, he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem who were two years and under.

Matthew 2:16

The King became angry with the wise men and ordered all baby boys to be killed.

25.  An angel appeared to Joseph and said "Get up, take the baby and his mother to Egypt.  Stay there until I tell you, for the King is going to search for the child to kill him."  Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus stayed in Egypt until the death of King Herod.

Matthew 2: 13-15

An angel woke up Joseph and told him to take Mary and baby Jesus to Egypt to escape the mean King.

I wish everyone of you a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
See you after the New Year.
~Melanie      

End notes:  All scriptures taken from the NIV Adventure Bible for kids.

Words Build or Destroy

Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good; 
he must seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11 NIV

Girls, 
have you ever felt so out of place that the only thing you new to do was to 'open your mouth' as a means to fit in.  
No matter the words, 
No matter the conversation you joined in, 
No matter the gossip, 
No matter the ...fill in the blank.  
I have!  
I have walked away from countless conversations ...
even present speaking...saying to myself, 
"Why did I say that?" ... 
"I can't believe I said that." .... 
"What was I thinking?"...
or Yes, 
Even this whopper.......
"That must have really hurt her feelings."  
If you have asked yourself these questions, 
you can be sure the enemy is preying on your conversations as to try and prevent them from being uplifting and fruitful. 

A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. 
A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. 
A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. 
A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. 
By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.  
James 3:3-6 MSG

Guess what?
There is a solution to leaving a conversation, a group, a class, a prayer group....you fill in the blank.....without disecting your conversations!  
The enemy jumps on the chance to send you into an emotional whirlwind, 
especially when that conversation had to do with the Lord, 
He will attack your mouth in the middle of your sentence.   
The direction the enemy wants you to go leads to conflict and chaos.  
The other leads to peace and joy.  
Turning and changing our words requires time, energy, self-disipline and commitment. 
But most importantly it requires that we study to find what God has to say about how to use our mouths, and then rely on him to help us use them in the right way.  
Accepting responsiblity to our words is one of the most rewarding discipline.  I cannot blame others for the words that I say.  
It is my prayer that as the Lord transforms my speech, my relationships will improve, and I will experience more and more joy with the conversations that I have with others.  
And you to my dear friends. 
Psalm 139:4 tells us .. "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord!" We must pray and ask God to give us the words to say! I pray Psalm 19:14 over myself before I open my mouth.... 
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Amen."

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;  well-done work has its own reward, peace-planning brings joy to the planner and a cheerful word picks us up! Proverbs 12:14,20,25 MSG

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.  1 Thessalonians 5:11 MSG

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. James 3:2  KJV

Bottom line girls, you and I are a constant work in progress.  Be prepared with your scripture cards!  Keep the word in your hearts and be ready! ~M

endnotes: NIV, The Message, KJV, Naves Topical Bible

To all the Covenant Bible Study Girls.


If you have questions please post a comment, I'll do my best to help.
For the girls that emailed me....click on Covenant under Categories to the right and it will take you directly to the 'covenant' posts. I just love that you are getting your homework finished...how great you will feel when you finish!

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

For the girls that asked for a 'note card holder' ...I can meet up with you at church or I can mail you one...let me know.

Just a reminder- the note card scripture list is one of the last posts here on the blog for you to print. :)

The comments will be closed when we start our new study in January!

BUT, The posts will remain there for your reference!
So remember you can catch up anytime, don't bog yourselves down.

~Melanie

Trust and Believe

Ask and it will be given to you; 
seek and you will find; 
knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; 
he who seeks finds; 
and to him who knocks, 
the door will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, 
will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, 
will give him a snake?
If you, 
then, 
though you are evil, 
know how to give good gifts to your children, 
how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11 NIV!

By the simple discussion of these verses, Jesus urges us to keep our minds filled with the truth of God's control behind everything, which means that we must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek. What is trust?  Having perfect trust means we have perfect faith! With faith all things are possible.

God is my Father, He loves me, Why should I worry?

Even when you feel like you are stuck in darkness...You are Not.

Even when you feel God is like an unkind friend......He is Not.

Even when you feel God is an unjust judge..............He is Not.

Even when you fill in the blank................................He is Not.

All trust and believe God is behind all things strong and growing.  
Nothing happens unless God's will is behind it, 
(There is a reason for everything...pun intended) 
therefore we can rest in perfect confidence in Him. 

Prayer is not only asking, 
but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. 

"Ask and it will be given to you!"

Blessings, ~Melanie

Utimate Teacher- Jesus the One and Only!

Those who love instruction love knowledge!

Those who loves discipline loves knowledge!

Those who ignores correction is unwise.

Proverbs 12:1 NIV

That loves the instruction of Wisdom, or Christ,

(Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.Proverbs 4:13);

the means of instruction, the Scriptures, which are profitable for instruction in righteousness, and are written for our learning; the Gospel, which instructs into the person, office, and grace of Christ; the ministers of the word, who are so many instructors in Christ; and even the rod of afflictions, by which men are taught their duty, and the will of God: and these are to be loved; and he that loves them clearly shows that he loves knowledge; since the means of instruction, making use of them, and getting instruction by them, are attended with labour, trouble, and difficulty; which a man would not choose, had he not a love unto and a desire after knowledge, and an increase of it; as the knowledge of God, of Christ, and of his truths.

The Lord GOD give me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak!
Isaiah 50:4 

Let's do a bit of word research, learned both words are translated "limmud" adj. (lim-mood) meaning "taught".   Also translate as "disciple", one who is "taught".

All children should be taught of the LORD; in turn; great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13 

This leads us to the instructions and teaching that would come from the Utimate Teacher- Jesus the One and Only!

Blessings, ~Melanie

In His WORD I put my HOPE!

In His WORD I put my HOPE!

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV


His patience in hope.

It is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace, and the working of his power. We must hope for that only which he has promised in his word. Like those who wish to see the dawn, being very desirous that light would come long before day; but still more earnestly does a good man long for the tokens of God's favour, and the visits of his grace. Let all that devote themselves to the Lord, cheerfully stay themselves on him. All that wait on God for mercy and grace, are sure to have peace.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The Word is a Light


Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
{The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it.}

A Short Story

On the day the Lord returns,

You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know.. So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are Staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt.. Players and parents are searching the clouds And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None.

From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels.. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North. South. East. West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy... The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there

He is.... Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:

I am the Alpha and the Omega.

The angels bow their heads... The elders remove their crowns... And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters...... Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy... All that mattered, matters no more... For Christ has come.

Shout for praise! In His Name, ~Melanie

I got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart!

Joy Unspeakable.
I grew up in a small church in Oklahoma, where there was Sunday School, then after Sunday School there was Children's Church, where we sang songs and listened to our Youth Leaders.

As a young girl,
I remember singing "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay!"
I used to sing that with all my heart to a young boy I grew up with in that church named Joey.
In turn, another song we sang was "In my heart there rings a Melody.
He would sing in my heart there rings a Melanie to replace Melody."
Why I'm telling this story?
To prove that the memory of singing those songs as a child has stuck with me...in turn...that True Joy comes from Jesus... is a Joyous Melody that will stay with us the same as that memory.
We can have Joy Unspeakable- it is Real.
As the song goes...all we have to do is grab ahold of it and hold it down in our heart to stay! I have discovered over the years, I chose to forget many childhood memories, but after remembering this one, I realized the Joy that filled my heart had been there all along ...even when I chose to live life without remembering.
John 16:22 says : "Noone can take away your Joy!"

Joy is a gift!

I was lead to Psalm 4 this morning,
clearly God had another memory that He and I had to work through.
The closer and closer I get to Him, the more and more He reveals Himself to me.
He loves us and wants us to know that He has been in our lives all along.
I found The Message version of Ps 4 was captivating.
Below the Psalm I listed some references to joy that you may wish to jot down as memory verses!

Psalm 4 (The Message)

When I call, give me answers. God, take my side!

Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;

Now I'm in trouble again: grace me! hear me!

You rabble—how long do I put up with your scorn?

How long will you lust after lies? How long will you live crazed by illusion?

Look at this: look.....Who got picked by God! He listens the split second I call to him.

Complain if you must, but don't lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking.

Build your case before God and wait for his verdict.

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more."

I have God's more-than-enough,

More joy in one ordinary day: Than they get in all their shopping sprees.

At day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, For you, God, have put my life back together.

Ask that your joy may be full! Romans 15:13

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

2 Corinthians 7:4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Psalm 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. John 16:22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Luke 1:47 My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Zechariah 10:7 Their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD.

Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Hold that Joy down in your hearts ~Melanie

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

So then, just as you received
Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live in
Him,
rooted and built up in
Him,
strengthened in the
faith
as you were taught,
and overflowing with 
Thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-8

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!
~Melanie

Seek His Presence | A Season to be Thankful 2009

1 Chronicles 16:8 (The Message)
Thank God!
Call out his Name!
Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!
Sing to him!
Play songs for him!
Broadcast all his wonders!
Revel in his holy Name,
God-seekers, be jubilant!
Study God and his strength,
seek his presence day and night!

Give Thanks | A Season to be Thankful 2009

The LORD is my strength and my shield; 
my heart trusts in him, 
and I am helped. 
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. 
 Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength,
to support me,
and carry me on through all my services and sufferings.

The heart that truly believes,
shall in due time greatly rejoice:
we are to expect joy and peace in believing.
God shall have the praise of it:
must we express our gratitude.

Blessings, ~Melanie

About this commentary:
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

His Love Endures Forever | A Season to be Thankful 2009

A Season to be Thankful!

1 Chronicles 16:34
***Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 John 4:18
To Love, to Be Loved 17-18 God is love.
When we take up permanent residence in a life of love,
we live in God and God lives in us.

This way, love has the run of the house,
becomes at home and mature in us,
so that we're free of worry!
There is no room in love for fear.
Well-formed love banishes fear.
Since fear is crippling, a fearful life
—is one not yet fully formed in love.

Blessings, ~Melanie

How to Believe God | A Season to be Thankful 2009

How to Believe God
Eph 1:19
His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.
Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Matt 9:29
According to your faith will it be done to you.
James 2:22
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

God reveals himself two primary ways:
His Word. Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
His Works. Psalm 145:1-6
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.

Have an awesome day Believing God!  Melanie :)

Cure Anxiety with Trust | A Season to be Thankful 2009

The Cure for Anxiety...Trust in God.
Matthew 6:25-34 

For this reason I say to you, 
do not be worried about your life, 
as to what you will eat or what you will drink; 
nor for your body, 
as to what you will put on. 
Is not life more than food, 
and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, 
that they do not sow, 
nor reap nor gather into barns, 
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 
Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
And why are you worried about clothing? 
Observe how the lilies of the field grow; 
they do not toil nor do they spin, 
yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, 
which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith
Do not worry then, 
saying, 
What will we eat?
What will we drink? 
What will we wear for clothing?
For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; 
for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, 
and all these things will be added to you.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Trust in God commended.
Take no thought for your life. 
Not about the length of it; 
but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; 
our times are in his hand, 
and they are in a good hand. 
Not about the comforts of this life; 
but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases. 
Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them.

Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come. Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for to-morrow, or the events of it. God has given us life, and has given us the body. And what can he not do for us? If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us.

Improve this as an encouragement to trust in God. We must reconcile ourselves to our worldly estate, as we do to our stature. Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world.

Blessings, ~Melanie

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Power of Words | A Season to be Thankful 2009

Power of Words

James 3 says:
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, 
we can turn the whole animal. 
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, 
but it makes great boasts. 
The tongue also is a fire, 
a world of evil among the parts of the body. 
Out of the mouth come praise and cursing. 
But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, 
then peace loving, 
considerate, 
submissive, 
full of mercy and good fruit, 
impartial and sincere. 
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear lies from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.

Blessings, ~Melanie

About this commentary: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Faith = Word | A Season to be Thankful 2009

Romans 10:17 (KJV)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


The difference between the righteousness of the law, and the righteousness of faith.
The self-condemned sinner need not perplex himself how this righteousness may be found. When we speak of looking upon Christ, and receiving, and feeding upon him, it is not Christ in heaven, nor Christ in the deep, that we mean; but Christ in the promise, Christ offered in the word. Justification by faith in Christ is a plain doctrine. It is brought before the mind and heart of every one, thus leaving him without excuse for unbelief. If a man confessed faith in Jesus, as the Lord and Saviour of lost sinners, and really believed in his heart that God had raised him from the dead, thus showing that he had accepted the atonement, he should be saved by the righteousness of Christ, imputed to him through faith. But no faith is justifying which is not powerful in sanctifying the heart, and regulating all its affections by the love of Christ. We must devote and give up to God our souls and our bodies: our souls in believing with the heart, and our bodies in confessing with the
mouth. The believer shall never have cause to repent his confident trust in the Lord Jesus. Of such faith no sinner shall be ashamed before God; and he ought to glory in it before men.

Blessings, ~Melanie

About this commentary:Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Heart Desires | A Season to be Thankful 2009

Heart Desires
Psalm 37:4 NIV
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.


The life of religion is believing and trusting in the Lord, 
and diligent care to serve him according to his will. 

What is the desire of the heart of a good woman? 

It is this, 
to know, 
and love, 
and serve God. 
Commit ways.
Cast all burdens on the Lord.
Including the burden of care. 
Refer them to God. 
By prayer,
then trust in him. 

When we do our duty, 
and then leave it with God. 

The promise is very sweet: 
He always listens.
God's promises never fail!
Ps 37:1-20

Blessings, ~Melanie
Endnotes: Paraphrased from: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

The Word Directs

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. NIV

The entire Psalm was my reading this morning, and vs.105 stuck. I began cross-referencing and came across this commentary. I love how this statement is so fitting for the world we live in today! I transformed these words into a prayer, then printed it out and put it in my prayer journal.

The word of God directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the Spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way. The keeping of God's commands here meant, was that of a sinner under a dispensation of mercy, of a believer having part in the covenant of grace. The psalmist is often afflicted; but with longing desires to become more holy, offers up daily prayers for quickening grace. We cannot offer any thing to God, that he will accept but what he is pleased to teach us to do. To have our soul or life continually in our hands, implies constant danger of life; yet he did not forget God's promises nor his precepts. Numberless are the snares laid by the wicked; and happy is that servant of God, whom they have not caused to err from his Master's precepts. Heavenly treasures are a heritage for ever; all the saints accept them as such,
therefore they can be content with little of this world. We must look for comfort only in the way of duty, and that duty must be done. A good man, by the grace of God, brings his heart to his work, then it is done well.

About this commentary:
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.
Have an amazing day ~Melanie

Covenant | Kay Arthur | Group Discussion Questions



Week 1:
What did you learn about the Lord in relation to man in general?
What assurance do we have that God will never destroy the earth by flood?
In regards to the Israelities not keeping the covenant in Ex 2 and 6.
Do you think people today are distressed or discouraged for any of the same reasons?
What did the people say about the words of the Lord' the book of the covenant?

Week 2:
How does the covenant between Jonathan and David give us a picture of what happens when we enter into covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ?
How should being in covenant with Jesus affect your life?
Who was David's enemy?
What did Jonathan do that showed he understood the seriousness of the covenant?
What does your robe look like?
Are you making provision for the flesh. When we enter into covenant with Christ. What is the exchange?
What difference is this exchange making in your life today?
What is your protection when you are clothed in Christ?
How does John 17:15-17 relate to the sword of the spirit?
What is the sword of the spirit according to Eph 6:17?

Week 3:
What does Mizpah mean?
What did you learn about the Lord's Supper and its relationship to covenant?
How does Gen 31:43-55 help you understand Mizpah?
Who is the judge over the covenants?
What was your condition when you came to know the Lord?
What does eat My flesh and drink My blood mean?
What does the Lords Supper (communion) symbolize?
What should we do before taking it?
How has all you are learning changed your thinking in relation to God, to your life?
Are you more secure in His love now that you understand more about what God has done for you when He cut covenant in His Sons flesh?

Week 4:
How does Jesus' flesh relate to the veil that was torn in two in the temple?
What did you learn about walking between the peices of flesh into the walk of death?
What does it mean to believe?
When Jesus died on the cross, the thick veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Who tore it? What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Week 5:
How does the oneness of marriage demonstrate the oneness of covenant?
What are blessings of being in covenant with Christ?
Why did they cover the altar with tears, weeping and groaning?
How serious is purity?
Do those in covenant with Christ have any responsiblity for other believers?
How is the name change as part of covenant a new understanding for you?
Do you hunger and thrist for peace, satisfaction with your life, contentment?

Week 6:
What did you learn about each covenant?
There are 4, Abrahamic, the Law, the Davidic, and the new covenant..and how to they interweave?

Week 7:
How is Jesus described in the verses of Heb 7:23 and 8:13. What did you learn about Him?
How is the new covenant a better covenant?
What word describes this covenant?
What did you learn from the word conscience?
What are dead works?
How important is blood?

Week 8:
What makes the new covenant so powerful?
Are you trying to live according to the law or the spirit?
What did you learn about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament passages?
(Study passages in Acts, Eph and Romans) What was Paul contrasting in 2 Cor 3?
What is the purpose of the Law, according to Gal 3?
What does the new covenant promise about the Holy Spirit?
How do you keep the flesh in check, under control?
How is the entire law fulfilled?
What would walking by the Spirit look like?
What do you understand to be the fruit of the Spirit according to Gal 5:22-23?

What know more about Kay Arthur? Go HERE.

Covenant | Kay Arthur | Note Card List


Week 1:
2 Cor 5:9 We also have as our ambition...to be pleasing to Him. NASB or Make it my goal to please Him. NIV

Genesis 9:13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. NIV or I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. NASB

2 Corinthians 5:17 My favorite version of these is the KJV! Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. KJV

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. KJV

Malachi 3:1 Choose your favorite version. "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. NASB or "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. NIV

Week 2:
Romans 5:18-19 (The Message) Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.

Matthew 4:4 (CEV) Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: `No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.' "

Galatians 3:26-27 (The Message) By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise.

Romans 13:11-14 (The Message) But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Colossians 3:1-2 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Colossian 3:10 (NIV) You have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator!

Ephesians 4:20-24 In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Matthew 26:28 My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins!! Matthew 26:28 NIV This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Phillipians 2:6 The Message Jesus had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.

John 1:1-2 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 NIV For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

James 4:4 Friendship with the world is hatred toward God. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

1 John 5:19 We are children of God, and the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Rev 19:11 KJV Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True!

John 17:17 We are Sanctified by the Truth; God's Word is Truth.

Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Week 3: 
2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Week 4: 
Galatians 3:9 Those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Week 5: 
Gen 2:24 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

1 Cor 6:15-17 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? It is said, two become one flesh. But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

Isaiah 49:13&16 The Message Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead! Mountains, send up cheers! God has comforted his people. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight.Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good.

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Revelation 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 1:7 Endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

1 Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Jer. 32:17 Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

1 Timothy 6:17&19 Put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. This way you will lay up treasure for yourself a firm foundation for the coming age, so that you may take hold of the life that is truly life.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Isaiah 62:2 You will be called by a new name; Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. a little more straight to the point in the message bible... You'll get a brand-new name, straight from the mouth of God.

2 Cor 3:18 We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Heb. 9:26 Christ has appeared to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Week 6: 
John 6:27 "Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

2 Chronicles 20:6 "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.

John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Jeremiah 31:33 I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it: and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Jeremiah 31:34 I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.

Luke 22:19-20 This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Week 7: 
Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 9:28 Jesus Christ will appear again for salvaton without reference to sin to those who eagerly wait for Him.

Hebrews 10:22-25 The Message So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. or..Seperate NIV verses... Hebrews 10:22 Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Week 8: 
Ezekiel 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."

Ezekiel 37:26-27 "I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever."My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Acts 1:8 You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses.

Acts 2:33 "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.

2 Cor 5:5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

2 Tim 2:7 The Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Cor 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Cor 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Gal 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control against such things there is no law. If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit.

What know more about Kay Arthur? Go HERE.

Week Eight Homework | Covenant 8-5 | Kay Arthur


Living the New Covenant Life
The indwelling Spirit of God is the key to the new covenant life.

Galatians 4
The Allegory of the women of the two covenants.

son 1
Ishmael
Hagar
Old
Sinai
slaves
flesh
son 2
Issac
Sarah
new
Zion
free
promise

Using this chart the two women the two children the promise vs. the flesh and the enslaved and free. O wow! Perfect point to end this study on!

Note Card Verse:
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control against such things there is no law. If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit.

Don't you just love how this all falls together just perfectly! How I love the Word and fall deeply in love with my Lord over and over again everyday! His is the perfector of our Faith and is what moves us! Grab ahold of His hand and hang on tight, He is a wild ride! :)

I can't believe this study is over! Gosh, It has been a mind grabbing experience. Have a great holiday! I have plans with my family and cannot wait to cook a turkey and dressing and gravy and homemade rolls! YUM! Ok, have a wonderful time with the Lord.

In His name, Blessings to you, ~Melanie

What know more about Kay Arthur? Go HERE.

Week Eight Homework | Covenant 8-4 | Kay Arthur


Galatians 3:  powerful stuff in here girls, I tell ya, I really don't have to go in to great detail trying to explain it. Just read it, enjoy the Lord's company as you read and let him speak to you today.

When your finish; here are the things about the Law and Faith.

LAW
works
is not of faith
no longer under a tutor
is no more sacrifice
purpose was to show the people how to live

FAITH in the Holy Spirit so He can live in you hearing the Word!

The law leads us to Christ by Him being an example to us how to live and does away with the Law.

Galatians 3:14...says that by Faith we recieve the Spirit.

Note Card Verse:
Gal 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The new covenant gives us the Power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us!
AMEN AMEN AMEN
~Melanie

What know more about Kay Arthur? Go HERE.

Week Eight Homework | Covenant 8-3 | Kay Arthur


Todays homework is all over 2 Cor:1-17 Hang on tight as we dive in head first and emerge our souls through to the tips of our toes.

Now let's discuss all the passages ...

vs. 3 tells us what was written on the tablets of stone but the Law in the Old Covenant. God tells us here that now His law is written on the tablets of our hearts.

When we parallel Jer 31 with this we find He sent the Spirit because He loves us. It all has to do with God cares for His people, He keeps His word and follows thru on commitments and this commitment was to fulfill the everlasting covenant.

vs. 6 Paul refers to the letter of the Spirit, that the Spirit gives life! The letter kills (old covenant).

vs. 8 The Spirit shines a radiance on the one who recieves.

vs. 9 The ministry of condemnation...referring to Jesus and the contrast to his death in order to send the Holy Spirit.

vs. 10 What had glory and fades away? refers to Jesus and his death glorified in order so the Spirit may be glorified even more because the Spirit was sent to live in us. The radiance shine will not fade if we continue to let the Spirit control our lives. What this is trying to say is that the old covenant has faded away and the new has been made complete through the Holy Spirit.

Note Card Verses:
2 Cor 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Cor 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Cor 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

My head is pounding, girls go rest, be still and know that God is Who He says He is!

~Melanie

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Week Eight Homework | Covenant 8-2 | Kay Arthur


Beginning in John 7 and Acts 1 lets find out what we learn about Spirit.

John 7:
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.
38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Acts 1:
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."


Let's discuss vs. 38..flow through him rivers of living water...(the Spirit)

vs.39 is an important part..don't miss this...even though Jesus spoke of the Spirit, but the Spirit had not yet been given because He had not be glorified.

Then in Acts 1 Jesus tells them that John baptized with water, but not to many more days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Ending with vs 8 to sum it up well...You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you! and you shall be my witnesses!

Wow, that is a great word to be happy about!

Read Acts 2....then jot down your thoughts about the Spirit and Promise.

Here's my two cents...
We received the promise of the Holy Spirit the moment Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father.
Eph 1:13-14

Number the progression on events...

1. after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation

2. having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise

3. He is given as a pledge of our inheritance

4. with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

That is also what we learn about the Holy Spirit.

Why is it called the Holy Spirit of Promise?

The Spirit is not only the completing of covenant, but a guarantee that God will redeem our bodies. Believers are going to live forever and ever! Woohooo! O happy day!

More about the Spirit in Romans 8

If God dwells in you, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. If you don't have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, are children of God. The Spirit himself testifies that we are children of God.

Note Card Verse:
Acts 1:8
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses.

Acts 2:33
"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

Ephesians 1:13
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.

2 Cor 5:5
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

2 Tim 2:7
The Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Tim 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What an amazing day girls! O love the Word, love the Word!
~Melanie

What know more about Kay Arthur? Go HERE.