Godly Speech - Week Three

Essential Two

(THIS WEEK'S ASSIGNMENT: READ CHAPTER THREE IN YOUR BOOK,

STUDY IT, & SHARE YOUR GLEANINGS!)

Hello everyone! So how was your second (& last) week of studying Godliness? I am amazed and even somewhat overwhelmed of all that I should be doing as a woman of God! The Lord has definitely been pointing out to me how much I need to improve and areas in my life in need of major change. I'm so thankful I don't have to live out this godly life in my own strength, because I would most certainly fail! Only through Christ's strength and power can these truths we've been learning ever become effective in mine and your lives.

"But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 ERV

I loved her (Elizabeth George's) 5 guidelines for controlling our thoughts:

• Make a decision every day to seek to dwell on the Lord
• Make sure my thoughts meet the guidelines of Philippians 4:8
• Master the great hymns of the faith
• Memorize Scripture
• Mark out certain times each day for praising God

What great ideas and reminders for focusing our thoughts upwards! (One of those areas in my life in need of changes!) I was really excited to discover something in Philippians 4:8 that I had never realized before. (And I've heard & memorized this verse many times!)

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8

There are eight things listed here that we are supposed to think, dwell, and meditate on. They are things that are TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, of GOOD REPORT, VIRTUOUS, and full of PRAISE. Here's my exciting discovering...Only God is ALL of these things! Everything else in this world dims when compared to Him. Only He is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and worthy of praise. Therefore the key to focusing my thoughts is to simply focus on GOD! Meditating on Him, His goodness, His attributes, His Word, etc.

In the Greek the word for THINK is "logizomai" meaning "to make those things the subjects of your thoughtful consideration, or to carefully reflect on them, to reckon, count, dealing with reality..."

Thinking on the Lord, focusing on Him, and meditating on His Word, will certainly make Psalms 19:14 a reality in our lives: "May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock - the One who rescues me." ERV

Anyways, that was just some of my thoughts on this last week's study. :) Did you all choose a hymn to memorize?? I loved the idea of memorizing a hymn each month! I'm going to give it a try. :) The first hymn I'd like to memorize is I Surrender All. I'd love to hear what hymns you're memorizing!

Thanks so much everyone for your encouraging comments & for joining me on for this study! I am just loving it and hope you are too. :)

Love & Prayers, Nicole

"All to Jesus, I surrender; All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus, I surrender; Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus, I surrender; Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power; Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender; Now I feel the sacred flame.

O the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory, to His Name!"

Godliness - Week Two

Essential One

Hello, fellow study partners! I hope your first week of studying was truly delightful and enlightening. :) I was excited to walk away with a lot of exciting gold nuggets of truth! After talking with some of you, we decided to work through only one chapter each week (Wednesday to Wednesday). Our study will last longer this way but it will be so much easier to keep up on it and not get behind!

After reading the first chapter this week I found some things I want to study more in depth at a later time. After reading about Anna fasting and praying, it aroused some questions to my mind about fasting. What is it's purpose? Why did people do it? Should believers still do it today? How should it be done? Hmm...lots of questions for me to study! Then I also want to study "praise" in depth. What exactly is the difference between "giving thanks" and "praise"? How do we praise the Lord? How does praise affect the believers life...? If any of you have any insights on either of this two subjects I'd love to hear your thoughts!

So ... We're onto our second week, continuing on with our first godly essential - Godliness! This week you need to work through CHAPTER TWO in your book and study guide. Here's a easy way to remember what we have to do each week: READ, STUDY, & SHARE! (READ the book, STUDY the chapter, SHARE your thoughts!) I look forward to hearing how second part of godliness blesses you!

Here's some thoughts I received from some of our fellow studiers (we should really think of a good name for our "study partners" lol!):

"I am enjoying (the study), and actually this morning, I got so engrossed in the study and looking up scripture that time got away from me!"

"I'm just loving this study and its just the first day. I keep seeing the word CONSECRATION lately. To devote irrevocably to the worship of God; to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication. "Set-Apart"."

Thanks so much everyone for your supporting, encouraging thoughts! Thank you for sharing! :)

Love & Prayers,
Nicole


EXTRA NOTES FROM WEEK ONE:
I was asked to share some of my notes from 2 Timothy 2:9-15. I didn't go into great detail on all the verses but here's what I do have.

GODLY DRESS - modest apparel, not broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly apparel. Why? So that my dress might point others to my Lord.

BECOMETH (Gr. prepo) - to stand out, conspicuous, to be becoming, seemly, fit

WOMEN (Gr. gyne) - women of any age

PROFESSING (Gr. epaggellomai) - to announce that one is about to do something, to promise, to engage voluntarily

GODLINESS (Gr. theosebeia) - reverence towards God's goodness

GOOD (Gr. agathos) - useful, good, joyful, happy, distinguished, upright, honourable

WORKS (Gr. ergon) - employment, any product, an act, deed, thing, done

MODEST (Gr. kosmios) - well arranged, seemly (note same greek word used in 1 Timothy 3:2 meaning "of good behavior")

APPAREL (Gr. katastole) - a lowering, letting down, a garment let down, dress, attire

SHAMEFACEDNESS (Gr. aidos) - a sense of honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect

SOBRIETY (Gr. sophrosyne) - soundness of mind, self control

LEARN (Gr. manthano) - to increase in knowledge, to hear, to be in the habit of

SILENCE (Gr. hesychia) - quietness, life of one who stays at home doing own work

SUBJECTION (Gr. hypotage) - obedience

MY MINISTRY - "Everything I do or say should point others to Christ. I am to be useful, joyful, happy, and put my heart into doing anything & everything I do as unto the Lord!"

Godliness - Week One

Essential One

Welcome to our first week of studying together! Let's open with a word of prayer.

"Dear Heavenly Father,
    Thank you for these upcoming weeks that we can devote time to spend learning more about You and Your will for us as women. Please be with each one of these ladies who are joining us. Bless them and open their hearts to the truths You are wanting to teach us. Give us sensitive hearts that are willing to change areas in our lives that are not well-pleasing to You. Plant a passion in our hearts that desires You above everything else and one that seeks to learn more and more about You.
    Thank you for Elizabeth George, who has gone ahead of us to prepare this book and study about our high calling as women that You have given to us. Lord, may we be willing and desiring to live out Your will for our lives. May we submit to Your ways and seek to live out Your plans for our lives. 
    Lord, as we begin this first week of study, open our eyes and hearts to the truths You are desiring to show us. Help each of us to make a point to spend time with You each and everyday. Lord, this is what changes us. This is how we can become godly women - by spending time learning of You, experiencing You, talking to You, and listening to You. May each of us make You a priority in our lives, putting You first above all else.
    In Christ's Powerful Name, Amen."

Okay, time to get out your book, study guide, Bible, pen and notebook and start studying! This week we are studying the first essential to godly living - GODLINESS. Here's what we're doing this week:

READ chapters one in the book. This part should be simple. :) Just read the first chapter and record anything that stands out to you in your notebook.

STUDY using the corresponding growth and study guide. Work through chapters one this week. Record your answers and thoughts, insights you've discovered, areas in your life needing change, and written prayers. The study guide will probably take you longer to work through than the book so be sure to leave plenty of time!

SHARE your gleanings, learning, and thoughts with us during or at the end of the week! I'm so excited to hear what things the Lord is going to be teaching us! Please share by posting in the "comment" section below or send me an email and I'll post it for you. :) Stay tuned for updates and encouragement during the week! (Maybe you might want to subscribe so you'll be sure to receive each new post in your inbox?!)

May your study be a blessed and fruitful time of growing and learning! I'm praying for you as you embark on this journey with me.

Love, Nicole

P.S. If you are joining us, please drop me a note if you haven't done so yet! Either email me atnicolemarie144(at)gmail.com or leave a comment below. It would be so nice know who is joining us and to keep each other in our prayers!

Please tell me your name, favorite Bible verse, & one thing your are hoping to gain throughout this study!

Notes on Godliness

Wow! Hasn't this been any amazing couple days of Bible study?! I'm looking forward to hearing from each of you what God has been laying on your hearts. Here are some of my notes and gleanings so far (I'm almost done with chapter one:). 

Since my Bible is KJV, Titus 2:3 reads a little differently then in the book. "The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness..." After looking up the word "holiness" in the Greek I discovered that the word "reverent" could also be used (like it is in the NKJV.) 

I really love looking in the Greek to find greater truths and wisdom I would otherwise have missed. 

Behavior (Gr - katastema) having to do with the condition of something, demeanor, deportment, bearing 

Holiness/Reverent (Gr - hieroprepes) sacred & fitting, being consecrated to God

Following are some of my thoughts after studying the words behavior and holiness. "My behavior stems from my state of mind, my inner life. Before my behavior is an action it is first a thought. My thoughts and actions should be in accordance to God, as something sacred and consecrated to Him. I must empty my heart of self and dedicate my life completely to God. When God is my all, my actions will point to Him."

"Reverent in Behavior" - a heart and life that is set apart and consecrated to God. Every thought, word, and action is done to bring glory to God and honor to His name. It is a life that reflects Christ and points others to Him."

I love that fact the word "consecrated" keeps popping up in my study. Consecrated means being set apart fully for God. 

I loved the look into the life of Anna. (I've only touched briefly and still want to do more.) Anna was described as a godly woman. She was fasting (denying herself of world pleasures), praying (without ceasing), and giving thanks! Her life was filled with service and worshipping the Lord. She was committed, dedicated, self-controlled, and consecrated. She lived looking and seeking for her Savior. What an example for me and you!

I absolutely loved Elizabeth George's practical steps to making this real in our lives. Between this study and another book I'm reading (Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy) I'm excited to have some practical steps to take in my life. Below are some habits I'm hoping to establish in my life. 

PRAYER - spend 5 minutes at the beginning of every hour in prayer. Spend time on my knees right before I sleep at night & land on my knees when I awake in the morning. Choose to spend time talking to Him when I am alone, instead of simply letting my thoughts wander. 

PURPOSE - do this through worshipping and giving thanks.

PRAISE - read one chapter from the Psalms before getting out of bed in the morning. (A great book for this is The Psalms of David - the entire books of Psalms in beautifully illustrated! click here) Have a personal time of worship by singing hymns to the Lord. (Personally I thought going outside into our woods or by the pond would be perfect for this!)

PICK (an point to meditate on) - attributes of God, or promises from Scripture. Meditate by reading it in different versions, looking it up in the Greek, journaling thoughts and insights, or slipping a verse in my pocket to look at throughout the day. 

My Calling: "to worship God in spirit and truth, to seek to be consumed with Him, to love Him fully, to follow Him completely, to fill my heart, mind, soul and spirit with His Word." 

Ellerslie (in Windsor, Colorado) was a place that inspired me to worship and made me aware of God's presence. (See some pictures below for a glimpse of the scenery!)

After studying 2 Timothy 2:9-15, here's my very short summary. "Even my clothing should stand out separate from the world. EVERYTHING in my life should reflect Christ." (If anyone is interested in seeing my notes from looking up a lot of these words in the Greek, let me know and I'll try to post it.)

Spending time with our Lord and truly seeking to know Him is key to living this godly life. How can we expect to be godly on our own strength, without God? We cannot do this on our own willpower, strength, or thinking it into being. The truly godly life, one that reflects Christ in everything, in only accomplished by the emptying of self and allowing God to fill us with Him. 

Some changes I need to make in my life: (please pray for me!) I need to spend more time with Him, getting to know who He truly is, and not just who I think He is. In my conduct I need to be more joyful and more serving to others. Speech - more kind & encouraging, and not negative. And in my thought life I need to be willing to accept God's will and plans for my life and not seeking and planning my own way. 

Well, that's all I have for now. After some more studying I hope I'll have more to share. I'd love to hear what you've been learning, even if its just a sentence. :) Please share your gleanings by leaving a comment or sending me an email! 

May God bless you as you continue to grow and learn more about our high calling! 

Love, Nicole

Preparing Our Hearts

Aren't you excited?! It's less than a week until we start our study together! I'm super excited and hope you are too. :) Hopefully you've received your book and study guide by now. If you haven't be sure to order it TODAY so hopefully you'll have it in time to start!

Before we officially begin I thought it might be helpful to do some prep work. This way we'll be completely ready to start digging in next week and eager to learn! 

So here's your first "optional" assignments!

READ: "A Prayer for Godly Living" & "Word of Welcome" in your book and study guide. These are the introductions to our study and would be great to read before hand so you have an idea of what we'll be doing. Don't worry they're really short and shouldn't take you very long to read. :)

PREPARE: I would highly suggest gathering all the supplies that you will need throughout this study. Find a basket, box, shelf, nightstand, etc. where you can place all of your study supplies in one place. Having everything gathered together will help your study time to go more quickly and smoothly, and seeing your items sitting there will remind you to do it! Some suggested supplies would include:

• Your Bible
• The Book & Study Guide
• A Pen
• A Notebook
• A Dictionary or Concordance
• A Heart Ready to Learn!

   

THE PLAN: Are you curious as to how we're going do the study? Here's the plan: Every Wednesday I will assign you the chapters to read before the next Wednesday. So you'll have seven days to do it. You'll read the chapters on your own and answer the corresponding questions from those chapters listed in your study guide. At the end of our study week we'll share insights and lessons that the Lord has taught us and laid on our hearts. You'll be doing this by leaving COMMENTS. I'm really hoping everyone will be willing to share their gleanings with others so please comment each week! This will be how we can connect, encourage, and hold each other accountable.

IMPORTANT: If you are planning on joining us, please drop me a note to let us know! Either email me at nicolemarie144@gmail.com or leave a comment below. It would be so nice know who is joining us and to keep each other in our prayers!

Please tell me your name, favorite Bible verse, & one thing your are hoping to gain throughout this study!

If you have any questions, don't hestaite to ask! Praying for you as you prepare your heart and mind for the weeks ahead!