My 2010 Resolutions | Introduction



Click on the image above to download my facilitator notes, discussion guide and scripture note cards.

No matter what I did today, I was listening to the Lords still, quiet voice and I jotted notes down.

I had an all day conversation with the One and Only!

Busting my Soul Wide Open!

Now I can say I have experienced a Perfect Day! Amen?

I am gonna attempt to lead you in a New Year Mini Study through the following seven 2010 resolutions.

I would be thrilled for you to join me on this journey.

It is my prayer that this study will reveal 'A Fresh Approach' in 2010!

The Word Anew ~Melanie

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 7

I write this morning with a humble heart.  I am in awe of how the Lord has used this blog!  I have recieved many facebook notes, e-mails, phone calls, instant messages about how this study has touched you.  I want you to know I have read every single one of them and adore all of you so very much!  This study is not mine to claim.  There is no way I could've pulled something like this off, without the good Lord at my side the entire time.  I tell ya, honestly, I could've very easily shrugged off even attempting to do such a thing. He has started a new chapter of my life in 2010.  Something that I cannot explain in words, just know that he has kept me right where he wants me: on my knees seeking his face.

Some of you have asked what now?  Well, I am doing a bible study at my church and will use this blog as a 'discussion zone'.  Anyone is free to follow along and please comment if you wish.  I will announce the details of the study and links to where you can get material in another post.

If the good Lord has it in my future to write another study then let it be so!

As he leads; I will follow.

Alright, time to dig into the word!

Turn with me to Psalm 36:9.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

According to Vine's Biblical Dictionary:

Without risking the chance I totally confuse you. 

I have numbered the definitions, and will serve as the discussion headings.

Light means ....to become light, become lighted up, give light, cause light to shine.

Our topic verse and the Old Testament verses I will refer to, uses the hebrew definition which is an expression....

1. 'of a joyful, blessed life' in which the quality of 'life is enhanced'.

In the New Testament the greek definition means to...

2. 'light as seen by the eye', 'spiritual enlightenment', 'as 'reaching the mind' and being 'full of light which acts as the lamp of the body'.

1. 'of a joyful, blessed life' in which the quality of 'life is enhanced'. 

Psalm 4:6

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.

2 Samuel 22:29, 23:4

You are my lamp, O Lord, the LORD turns my darkness into light.  He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.

Psalm 18:28

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 19:8

The words of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. They are radiant, giving light to the eyes!

Psalm 119:105,130

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

The unfolding of your words gives light;  it gives understanding to the simple.

Now this passage I find fasinating, I hope you will too!

Psalm 37:3-7

Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him!!

Just maybe if you can bare with me a minute, do you think that the psalmist David is trying to tell us that the LORD has given us the 'land' we are in and this is where he intends us to be?  The differences is wether good or bad, trials or praises, joy or depression...there is the light of the LORD that shines on us to show us what way to go.  He extends a burning torch to us to carry throughout our lives. We must choose to grab ahold of it with both hands and never let go!  He is our strength, with him, we can overcome anything!

This Febuary the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, BC Canada.

I live in WA state close to the border.  My husband works construction so fortunately he has been blessed to work on a couple of major state highway expansions in the past five years to allow for the high volume of traffic on their way to Canada.  Every night we watch the Canadian news track the 'Torch Relay'.  I love watching the joy that fills the one blessed to carry it through streams of people lined up cheering them on.

Though we may not be the one blessed enough to carry an Olympic Torch. We are certainly blessed by our LORD enough to carry the torch he joyously gives us!  And this torch is one that will live in us forever and never get snuffed out.  However, it will be passed on to others in the Lord's Torch Relay!

You and I are made to SHINE as we carry the Lord's torch with joy and gladly light as many torches as we can and pray for each torch lit as it runs away on to the next torch carrier. Amen? Amen!

"We will see the light of life and be satisfied by his knowledge." Isaiah 53:11

2. 'light as seen by the eye', 'spiritual enlightenment', 'as 'reaching the mind' and being 'full of light which acts as the lamp of the body'.

Do everything readily and cheerfully--no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.  Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns.  You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing. Philippians 2:15

Paul is speaking to the Philippians......he wants to make sure they completely understand what he has been teaching them....and that they will continue carrying their torches he has lit!

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of the darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6

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! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The Message Bible paraphrases perfectly 'Reflect God's Glory'....

The Government of Death, its constitution chiseled on stone tablets, had a dazzling inaugural. Moses' face as he delivered the tablets was so bright that day (even though it would fade soon enough) that the people of Israel could no more look right at him than stare into the sun.

How much more dazzling, then, the Government of Living Spirit?

If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government of Affirmation? Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull alongside this new one. If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?

With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. Unlike Moses, we have nothing to hide. Everything is out in the open with us. He wore a veil so the children of Israel wouldn't notice that the glory was fading away—and they didn't notice. They didn't notice it then and they don't notice it now, don't notice that there's nothing left behind that veil. Even today when the proclamations of that old, bankrupt government are read out, they can't see through it. Only Christ can get rid of the veil so they can see for themselves that there's nothing there.

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

I conclude this study with tears in my eyes.  What a truly Awesome God we serve!

  Let's see what the Lord has in store for us at the end of our torch relay!  When the Lord is standing before me, and he grabs the torch snuffer like in the show Survivor and snuffs out my torch and says "Well done good and faithful servant!"  Now that is something to look forward to....Believe me that is something I long for, and trust me my torch will not be in perfect condition ...it has been scratched, dinted, refinished, re-lit and may be barely blazing by the time I get there.  But I want to get there! AMEN!

Turn to the book of Revelation.

On that glorious day "His face will be like the sun shining in all it's brillance." 1:16

Heaven does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light! 21:23

There will be no more night. We will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give us light.  And will reign forever and ever! 22:5

I want to share an old children's church song I used to sing as a child. 

Let's keep our lights shining!!!

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I'm gonna let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't let Satan blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't let Satan blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine

Don't let Satan blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine.

Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine

Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine

Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes,

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine til Jesus comes,

I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine til Jesus comes,

I'm gonna let it shine.

I'm gonna let it shine.

Shine for Jesus this year 2010!

I have enjoyed every single minute of this New Year Study.   All the while lifing my hands to the heavens screaming you are Awesome! I look forward to great things in 2010! He is up to something...that something is always good and will be revealed in His time not ours!

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey.  You have stolen my heart.

~Melanie

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 6

Boost my Confidence

I am so thrilled to share with you what I have studied about confidence!

According to Vine's Biblical Dictionary confidence means that which stands, or is set, under, a foundation, beginning.....the quality of confidence which leads one to stand under, endure, or undertake anything.

We are talking heavenly CPR here!  You and I can have the utmost confidence that our God will perform spiritual CPR on us whenever we call to him.  Ever feel like you need a little spiritual resuscitation?

Let's dive into the Word and see what the Lord has to say about our confidence.

1. The Lord Knows

First of all girls, the Lord knows!  The Lord knows!

Talk about spiritual CPR.  He has a plan for us and that plan will be brought to completion no matter what!

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.  Romans 8:28-29

The ultimate good!!

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD. Psalm 27:13

2. Transform Our Lives

We have to be willing to surrender ourselves to him completely, wholeheartedly!  Then watch the joy and peace fill you.

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,

but our competence comes from God. 2 Cor 3:5

3. Approaching God

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Eph 3:12

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

The fruit of righteousness will be peace;

the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Isaiah 32:17

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

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

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 5

Topic Verse is Proverbs 2:4 but let's back up to verse 1-5.  Verse 4 tells us to search for her as silver and hidden treasure.  What does 'her' refer to? 

In 2 Chronicles 1 Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge.  God answered him:

"Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge.  Therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor."

Wisdom.......A treasure worth seeking;  Amen?

Proverbs 2:1-5

If you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Paul writes:  My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

What is the Ultimate Treasure we are searching for?  Five Crowns in Heaven.

A skilled master builder lays a foundation, and another builds on it.  But each one must be careful how he builds on it, because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid-that is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire;  the fire will test the quality of each one's work.  If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.  If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 HCSB

Before we jump into the five crowns let's look at Psalm 103.  Read the entire chapter then let it sink in.

1. Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2. Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-

3. who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4. who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5. who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6. The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7. He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8. The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9. He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10. he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13. As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14. for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15. As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16. the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17. But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children-

18. with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19. The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20. Praise the LORD, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22. Praise the LORD, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Now moving on to the Five Crowns in Heaven!  If you want to research this more simply google Crowns in Heaven and you'll get enough links to make your mind explode.

1. The Crown of Self-Denial

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.  1 Corinthians 9:25 HCSB

2. The Soul Winners Crown

Paul refers to the Philipians as his joy and crown.  Paul was a soul winner for Christ.  Paul lead by example teaching them to set their minds on heavenly things...their reward in heaven. Philipians 4:1

Works of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:19.. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?  Is it not you?

3. The Crown of Righteousness

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

4. The Crown of Glory

You will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Peter 5:4

5. The Crown of  Life

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

Change has a price tag of self-denial-disipline-control.

You may have to give up some things you treasure;

To gain the real treasure of a transformed life.

You crown the year with Your goodness;

Your ways overflow with plenty. Psalm 65:11 HCSB

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 4

Some of you are thinking.....Why in the world is she making this one of her resolutions?

Well, the whole goal behind this study is to turn normal every year resolutions from 'lose weight', 'lift weights', 'join a gym', 'clean more', 'spend more time at home', 'eat out less', 'get organized', 'complete a yearly bible reading plan'........on and on and on!!!

I purposely stop at the bible reading plan.....you have NO idea how many times I have actually started one of those and NEVER completed it.  Ok, I'm not saying they are bad;  if they work for you then that's great, do it!  I followed those as a child and thought I was accomplishing something, because I would get a prize for completing it at the end of the year!  Even recognition in front of the entire congregation.  And- yes it stuck with me....like scripture says, the word has been hidden in my heart and will not return void.  I read it as a story book, not a study guide on how to live my life.

I feel this part of the study is the perfect place to say, 

We must start Living Every Year to Grow in the Word! There is room for improvement in all of us!

I dare you to ask God to reveal areas of your life where you need to grow more.

Watch Him work in you.  Ask him to show you how to live according to his Word.  I bet he jumps with joy to hear our new year resolutions are to better ourselves for Him not for us!  Amen?

This could be the best thing you ever do for yourself.  It was for me! Let me just say; IT WORKS!

Why?  Because we have His strength - power working in us.

Embrace My Plan and Purpose

Let's get to our topic verse for Part 4 of My 2010 Resolutions!

What's my purpose? (1)

"For I know the plans (2) I have for you;

declares the Lord,

plans to prosper (3) you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope(4) and a future (5)." NIV

1. Purpose: God fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 57:2

His purpose for me, not what we think is our purpose.

Proverbs 19:21 from the Message bible reads:

We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.

Isaiah 14:24

The Lord Almighty has sworn,

"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand!"

Isaiah 55:8-11

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes from my mouth;

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Job 36:5

God is mighty and firm in his purpose.

2.  Plans: Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. AMP

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

He always has a plan for us, no matter if we mess up the first one or not!  In the end He will achieve His ultimate plan for our future!

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

He will never give up on us even when we have given up on ourselves.

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11

He delights in us and knows the deepest desires of our hearts!

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

3.  Prosper: The Lord wants us to be successful in all things.

Joshua 1:8

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.

The Message bible paraphrases it...

Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it.  Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.  Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discourage. God, your God, is with you every step you take.

The enemy preys on our fears.  We must take captive every negative thought that enters our minds.

2 Timothy 1:7 says..

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind!

Though beginnings may seem small, so properous will our future be! Job 8:7

4. Hope: The Lord is my hope.

Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5

Sometimes all we need is a power boost of some hope!  There are over 174 references to hope throughout the bible.  Here are a few...

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lam 3:25

5.  Future:  The Solution Is Life on God's Terms! 

What the enemy intends for harm, the Lord turns for good!  There is nothing we will go through in our lives that the Lord will not use to fullfill our ultimate purpose and future!

Read Romans 8 from the Message bible and see what the Word has to say about our lives, past, present and future! I ask you to read this slow and let the Lord speak to you as you meditate on his word!

Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from the hands of sin and death.

Instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored. 

If God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him.

So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!  And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!  That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.  The longer we wait, the more joyful our expectancy.  Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He knows us far better than we know ourselves. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.  So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?  The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 3

Today I am embracing the fact that it is pouring down from the heavens.  

I love to hear the rain during my quiet time.  

Times like these I do my best study!  

Maybe why so many well know authors live in WA state.  

There's just something about God pouring down on you most of the year!

I apologize to my readers for having such a gap between posts.  

I won't give you a bunch of excuses..just know that I have been seeking his strength as I prepare for an upcoming study at my church.  

I will be posting it as a homework study soon.  

I will be striving to close up this new year study in the next couple of days.  

Thank you for all the messages and emails, remember you can post a comment here on the blog as well as become a follower....(Mama!) 

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always! Psalm 105:4

Training: We are in strict training!

1. I will train well for the life I have been given, in order to live out my purpose which God has predestined for me!

Isaiah 49:5 says: The Lord formed me from the womb to be his servant, and shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength! KJV

1 Corinthians 9:25

You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race.  Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win! All good athletes train hard.  They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades.  You're after one that's gold eternally! MSG

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever! NIV More on this in Part 5 Search for Treasure.

2. Why? Must I gain strength...my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!

I'm not referring to the body building strength here.....Simply walking, running or even jumping on a rebounder!  There is nothing like a brisk power walk in the park with the IPod listening to good worship music or your favorite speaker! In my opinion there's nothing like a good power boost!

According to Vine's Biblical Dictionary Strength can be translated as power.......As we gain strength we enable God's power to work in us!!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body!

You and I have a hidden strength that is ready and available to anyone who gives theirselves to the Lord...it is the Holy Spirit.  All you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart and the Holy Spirit is sent to leave within you.  This is ultimately how he speaks to us.  Working together with the Word and Prayer. We will grow more as we utilize the spirit that God has given us.

3. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. In all things acknowledge him. He will give you the desires of your heart. More on desires of the heart in Part 7, I'm gonna shine!

I love you, O Lord, my strength. Ps 18:1

Matthew 22:37

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Mark 12:30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Luke 10:27

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself.

4. Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!

Ps 31:24 & Ps 28:14 & Ps 29:11

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

the Lord gives strength to his people and blesses them with peace;

be strong and take heart all who hope in the Lord.

Ps 138:2-3

The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

And here's why;  God, high above, sees far below;

no matter the distance, he knows everything about us. MSG

I will praise his name for his lovingkindness and for his truth;

for he has magnified his word.  KJV

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy. Psalm 28:7

How can I be strong when I face trials?

God's power (strength) is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12:9

His strength is made perfect in weakness. For when I am weak I am strong!

5. Renewed Strength

Isaiah 40:31

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. KJV

Now, check out how Eugene Peterson paraphrases verses 27-31.......

Why would you ever complain? or whine? saying...God has lost track of me; He doesn't care what happens to me?  Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts!

He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.  And he knows everything inside and out.  He energizes those who get tired, give fresh strength to dropouts.  For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.  But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind! MSG

If that didn't get your attention and put a little 'wow' behind ya..well, then read it again until it sinks in. :)

6. Live in Victory

Remember that each race requires training.  Remember you and I are in strict training daily.  Constant renewing of our minds, training our thoughts, walking to boost energy, casting down every negative thought that enters our minds.  Never to give up we are after the eternal reward.  The crown that awaits us, after all we are a Princess - Daughters of the King!  We will go into this more in Part 5, Search for Treasure.

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 2

Just to be certain you know these really truly are my 2010 Resolutions. Really, really.  They were written by my own hand outta my poor little brain the day after Christmas.  I really really really didn't expect to be sharing them let alone turning them into a study.  But the good Lord thought it would be fitting for them to be placed on a blog somewhere out on the word wide web.  Too funny, see what I just typed....that is exactly what the worLd wide web is to me a place to spread the word! :)

Ok, here it goes....Some of you that know me have more than likely been biting at the bit for me to get to this.  We'll start with the featured verse.

Proverbs 3-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight!

Now lets hit these passages home with some insight from The Message bible.....

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

he's the one who will keep you on track.  

I love LOVE how Eugene Peterson paraphrases it!

In order for me to keep my head on straight I must first...

-Trust God

-Give my heart completely to Him

-Don't make any decisions without Him

-Pray about everything.

-Don't go anywhere without Him

-In return He will be with me and keep my head pointing the direction it should go!

I don't know about you but I'm excited about that truth!  He doesn't ask much from us at all, just to simply Trust, Love and Pray!  I can do that!  Be ever mindful (renewing my mind) of God and serve Him wth a willing (self-disipline) and faithful (here's the faithfulness and truth word again) heart (love).  He will remove obstacles from your pathway and bring you to your appointed goal!

Serve God with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.  1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV

Now, see how The Message bible puts it...

Serve him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive.

Eager mind I love that.  I would be bold enough to say...imagine if we approach the feet of Jesus in our prayer lives with a humble attitude, being willing and eager for Him to train our minds!

~Training My Thoughts~

whatever is true,

whatever is noble,

whatever is right,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is admirable—

if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things!

Philippians 4:8 NIV

There ya have it, simple as that. Ever here the saying..."Focus on the Positive, not, the Negative"!

I could list many books I have read on renewing your mind but not one has changed my life more that discovering Philippians 4:8. Thats when God's Word entered my life and starting changing me from the inside out.  He became part of my very being, who I am, what I do, how I walk and talk.  His love and truth keeps me together.  He continues to make my paths staight as long as I keep my head on straight and press foward to the ultimate goal He has placed ahead.  That my friends is Jesus.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 

out of the mud and mire,

he set my feet on a rock and

gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:2

The KJV says and established my goings!  Guess what 'my goings' is...well it can be my paths!

One more verse for ya and I'm closing....

  Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled! 1 Peter 1:13

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives!! The Message

Amen. Amen.

I love how the Word of God just comes together!  This is only Part 2, I cannot wait to see how all my 2010 Resolutions tie together!

Ok, Closing up this post with a song that came on the radio and thought it goes perfectly with our discussion.

Of course I don't know the words exactly so I googled them.

-Everything to Me by Avalon-

I grew up in Sunday school, I memorized the Golden Rule

And how Jesus came to set the sinner free

I know the story inside out, and I can tell you all about the path that led Him up to Calvary

But ask me why He loves me, and I don't know what to say

But I'll never be the same because He changed my life when He became everything to me.

We're living in uncertain times

And more and more I find that I'm aware of just how fragile life can be

I wanna tell the world I've found, a love that turned my life around

They need to know that they can taste and see

Now everyday I'm prayin' just to give my heart away

I wanna live for Jesus, so that someone else might see that He is everything to me.

And lookin' back over my life at the end, I'll go to meet You, sayin You've been..

You're everything to me

You're more than a story

More than words on a page of history

You're the air that I breathe, the water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

You're everything

Lord You're everything to me, Jesus

Everything, You're the water I thirst for

The air I breathe, the song I sing, oh

Everything to me, everything to me

You're my life, my love, my everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I better get this laptop put away....my darling husband Jeff is probably thinking I traded him in for blogging!

What a fun time in Gods Word!  He's everything to me, ~Melanie

My 2010 Resolutions | Part 1

Glory to God this Monday morning,

I am truly beside myself this morning as I type the first post to my very first self-written bible study! 

Bare with me as I have some outlined notes, but I have been known to jump on another page before I'm supposed to.  When that happens and I'm sure it will, hang in there, I'll get back eventually. :)

These are literally the verses the Lord led me to after he powered down my computer on new years morning.  I will never forget that as long as I live.

The words He spoke to me so clearly; "Start today living a life of faithfulness to the Lord."

Do this and Walk in Truth Melanie!  I cannot think of a better way to start the new year, can you?  I read these verses and made them my new year prayer for 2010.

Heavenly Father,

This New Year's morning I lift up my soul,

Show me your ways,

Teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

For you are God my Savior, (Ps 25:1,4-5)

All Your words are true! (Ps 119:60)

I speak of Your faithfulness. (Ps 40:10)

O Lord, examine my heart and mind,

For Your love is ever before me,

I will walk continually in Your truth.(Ps 26:2-3)

Give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear Your name. (Ps 86:11)

I put my hope in You,

All year long! (Ps 25:5b)

Amen.

That prayer is what started my new year all day journey with Him.

To dissect these verses a bit, let's look at Ps 25:1....To lift up my soul means to literally submit myself wholeheartedly to the Lord.   In verse 4....this is asking for guidance in God's will for my life.  Verse 5 we land on the topic of our first resolution for 2010.  The hebrew word in this verse for truth is 'emeth', which means faithfully, assured, established, sure of ones self.  The following verses all use the same hebrew word...Ps 26:3,119:60, 86:11. To be sure of ones established faith we must be established in His word.  Romans 10:17 says that "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!" KJV So if we are to search and study His word then we must believe all "His words are true." Ps 119:60. 

I just love Psalm 86:11 NIV

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name!   I urge you to speak these words outloud over yourself and watch the Lord work.

The next couple of verses uses a slight different definition of our topic, truth. This word literally turns our truth 'emeth': faithfully, assured, established, sure....to 'emunah' which has a slight more powerful impact to our discussion..'emunah' means security, secure, sability, faithfulness, honesty!  The following verses use the hebrew word 'emunah' rather than 'emeth'.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of your faithfulness (truth)

I do not conceal your love and your truth

May your love and your truth always protect me.

Psalm 40:10-11 NIV

O righteous God, who searches mind and hearts and makes the righteous secure!

There are two completely different words used here for righteous.  A righteous God who is perfect, and the righteous He perfects....us ..... God's people, those who honor God and order their lives in all things according to His will. 

And how exactly do we get our lives in order with Gods will.  By listening to His still, quiet voice in prayer and by reading the word!  The process may seem slow just know that God's timing is perfect, for He is a patient God and He will get us through all we must endure in our lives.  A time and season for everything under heaven.

Before I forget, one more thing...my absolute favorite thing about starting a new year is purchasing a brand new prayer journal and scripture memory book. 

I close today with a powerful statement..... If you are a scripture memory note card taking girl like me get this one jotted down.

"I have chosen the way of ...truth and faithfulness!" Psalm 119:30 

My new years prayer above is wrote front page and center in my new pink prayer journal.

This verse is now my fourth verse in the little pink journal for me to memorize today.

Next time we'll be discussing my second resolution..Keep My Head on Straight!

I cannot wait!

In the mighty name of Jesus, ~Melanie

endnotes:  NIV Study Bible, KJV Study Bible, Vine's Dictionary of Bible Words, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance