stand-blog-2

Friday, March 12

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:08:51 +0100

Good morning again my very wonderful friends :)

I've got to tell you, I really can't believe that it's been almost eight weeks since we started, and now it's time to wrap things up. I can say with total and complete assurance that this group is more than I could have hoped for as study partners and friends, and I'm thankful for the who the Lord brought into the picture as we explore this new format of Bible study. I'm really thankful for your participation, encouragement, and friendship. I'm already so excited to do this again! I hope we'll still be working alongside one another as we do!

Alright. That's right... you already know.

[Stop.] Spend some time on your knees before the One who sees you, loves you, and has equipped you to stand.

FOR DISCUSSION: How would YOU sum up how the Lord has equipped us to STAND?

We've talked about PRAISE and explored it in a new way. We've talked about perspective, perseverance, prayer, and so much more. Really I think it boils down to this: [Always.]

Know what you know.

Live what you know.

Share what you know.

Remember that you have a constant source of example, help, strength, and daily step-by-step guidance in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Please Read: Mark 2:1-12

This is a very well known story in which a few dear friends literally carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. Jesus did not immediately heal the “circumstances.” He healed the heart.

It always starts there. Always.

Know it. Live it. Share it. Our reality must always start with God as King... and bringing our circumstances and hearts to surrender. Offer yourself. Then you'll see a miracle.

Then.. Jesus told the man to [STAND UP.] But He didn't stop there. Without wasting one breath or stopping His sentence Jesus said “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

Why not stand there for everyone to gaze upon the miracle? Why not let the man stay with the others to listen to all of the teachings of Jesus?

Because it was time to go forward.

It was time to go forward for all to see.

(v. 12) He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

It's knowing. It's living. It's sharing. And it's ALWAYS worship.

It's always a step forward. Revival is nothing more than a conscious effort to take one step forward with God each day. Start today. Revival is worship. WORSHIP IS... REVIVAL.

You've learned to stand, dear friend and greatly loved child of God.

Now it's time to get up, take your mat, and walk.

Share what you know.

*If you would like to be a part of starting small group Bible studies of Stand or Resolved in your church, neighborhood or community please send me and e-mail at mary@the52project.org. We'll be able to discuss these possiblities when we meet in person as well.

We'd also LOVE to see your continued participation through the rest of the site even as this study ends! Please rejoice and share with us on the blog as often as you can. The Lord has used that ministry in a mighty way!

I'm so thankful for each of you! Have a wonderful weekend... discussions will remain open all weekend. You are each in my thoughts and prayer!

Thursday, March 11

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:58:25 +0100

Good morning :) I hope you're doing well this morning and that you've had some good time in prayer!

For today... (Drumroll please...) we'll be doing personal study on the word "share." :) Practical application, my friends! I'd suggest writing the verses you find on note cards... "meditate on them day and night" as they say :) You'll be so, so glad that you did!

SHARE.
You may want to try other words as well along this theme. Some suggestions are praise, act, speak, and tell.

In so doing, remember our key verse on this topic: (definitely note card and memorization worthy... just sayin!)

Philemon 6
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Also remember: 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect...

Happy studying to you! I KNOW that each and every day truly invested in your knowing, living, and sharing, will result in unspeakable joy!

Wednesday, March 10

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:51:28 +0100

Good morning and happy coffee to you!

Thank you for the research you did on KNOW. It's so awesome to just sit and read what God teaches each one of us and learn from it. What an awesome thing He does teaching us individually, and yet grouping us together to learn from one another!

Today... we'll do the same thing on LIVE.

Ready... set... GO!

Make sure you take time to read through all of the submissions yesterday. Again, feel free to send in several verses, or only one. That's fine too!!! Whatever time permits. Don't forget the Bible Concordance found all the way on the bottom of this page. However if you have one in the back of the Bible it might serve you better for today. For some reason this one is not showing results for live, but you can try another word that is similar. My Bible concordance had ALOT of references.

Have a wonderful day asking God to reveal to YOU what HE means when He teaches us how to LIVE. You'll be so, so glad you did.

I'm praying for you today my friend!

* Will you take a moment today to visit the blog, read what others know and share something you know? And while you're at it... :) Have you checked out the prayer wall? Please feel free to send requests, and please pray for others. I had the incredible honor of meeting a precious friend last night who has requested prayer, and needs it so desperately. Please lift one another up as a family serving the Lord. Thank you for your friendship and your partnership! :)

Tuesday, March 9

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:36:29 +0100

Good Morning!

[Plant your feet.] Stop and pray. Let's make this a habit... always!

Where are you standing?

Throughout this study... I have learned so much from you, and I'm so thankful! In thinking through this study and the principles “Know what you know, Live what you know, Share what you know” it's been hitting me more and more that this theme seems very complete... and is a constant cycle that the Lord laid out. I hear it in almost every scripture now. I see it patterned for us in every passage. What is it about these principles that makes things so complete?

Then it hit me.

Father. Son. Holy Spirit.

Know. Live. Share.

Father: I AM. That's all you need to know. KNOW God. His character. His name. Know THAT. HE is truth.

Son: Jesus came to earth to show us... how to live... in direct correlation to the character of GOD!!! Wow. He didn't just “make bad people good. He made dead people live.” Jesus taught us a life that is set apart and different, focused and living in regards to the CHARACTER OF GOD and not looking at circumstances.

Holy Spirit: We were given the Holy Spirit to live IN children of God, ALWAYS. FOREVER. He helps us to share, and He reveals more to US of the truth that we speak, when we speak it out loud. He helps us to understand the word of God.

OH. MY. GOODNESS. Does anyone else understand how very amazing this is?!?! WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!

Nothing He gives, nothing He asks, is incomplete. Ever. In fact His plans are already more complete than we can imagine, even before we're aware of them.

I KNOW that God has more for us than we are aware of now. I KNOW that He slowly opens our eyes as we seek Him. And so...

Will you commit to this pursuit of our great God together beyond this study? Today's assignment is simple.

Scroll down to the box at the very bottom of this page or open your Bible's concordance. Look up or type in the word “know.” If you want to continue in Psalms, the Study box at the end of the page hits Psalms on page 24.

For today's discussion: Simply list one (or more) verse that tells us something we can KNOW... and add your live and share. Its a simple yet life-changing pursuit. Let's make it a habit together today!

Monday, March 8

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:44:36 +0100

Good morning to you again, my friends! I'm looking forward to digging into our last week of Stand with YOU! Last week for input and questions... if there is anything on your heart, please let us know!

I enjoyed our discussion on sharing. It is clear (and so awesome!!!) That sharing is:
1. For OUR benefit as well (Philemon 1:6) You should be active in sharing your faith, so that YOU will have a full understanding of the hope that you profess.
2. For the benefit of others. Check this one from Psalms out:

I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old - we will tell them to our children, we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. The would not be like our forefathers - a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him. Psalm 78:2,4,7-8

Today I want you to really hone in on something. We've talked at great detail about how the Lord has equipped you (history, His word, access to Him, etc.) trained you (your history, His word, example of others, perspective, praise, etc.) and gone before you, always seeing you as you STAND for Him. Now let's turn our gaze a bit and focus on this angle of it:

He has equipped you,
He has trained you,
He has gone before you,
He is the One who sees you.

The ability to KNOW God is for YOU. The ability to teach others is for YOU. The ability to see miracles is for YOU. The ability to share the Lord with others is for YOU. I Think very often we separate ourselves from really, really KNOWING these things. We are raised to think a certain way, and to place different people into certain roles.

There is a danger as we learn from and observe others (which is so necessary!) that we miss the voice of God in our OWN PERSONAL LIVES. Let's obey the Lord in seeking, hearing, and learning from the counsel of others, but let's never TRADE it for what is best: Hearing His voice ourselves. That's one reason why it's so important to remember what He has done in your own life and to share it with others!

This is so important: Please check out these verses:
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have for I meditate on your statutes. I have more insight than all my teachers,more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word, I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:97-104

Please also read these: Especially notice the phrase "He enables me to STAND" :) Psalm 18:25-48, Psalm 16:7-8

The well-known apologist Ravi Zaccharias (WOW talk about a man who knows, loves and is instructed by the Lord!!!!) made me think through this... and it's an awesome change of perspective:

Jesus did not come to the earth to make bad people good. He is not in the business of focusing on behaviors, clothing, or appearance. Jesus came to this world to make dead people live. He came to give them a NEW LIFE. He came to open the eyes of the blind, open the ears of the deaf, and to set captives free!!! HALLELUJAH WHAT A SAVIOR!!!!

For today:
Are you living as if for a God who makes bad people good, or dead people live? Just how hard are you really seeking and applying the truth... personally?

For discussion:
Let's give some bullet point outlines as to what our responsibilites are as children of God.

Friday, March 5

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:23:50 +0100

His love endures forever.

We can ALWAYS sing a NEW SONG to the SAME GOD.

It never ceases to amaze me. [Praise The Lord!]

Please read Philemon 6, Psalm 34:1-8, Psalm 147.

For discussion:
Why is it necessary to share and to praise [out loud]? Do you think it's a part of our own journey of standing... to share the Lord and help others up as well? Why or why not?

Challenge: Will you write your own psalm? A testimony of faithfulness and praise to the Lord?

What a great opportunity to know it yourself, to do something about it that's out of your comfort zone, and to share! Will you join in? You do not have to share it if it's to personal, if you would like to we'd love to praise the Lord together with you .This would be a great stretching exercise for each of us and I'm guessing... it would make our Savior so happy. :) Pattern your Psalm after Psalm 136.[ It can be one line or many.] A line of testimony about your life or the character of God... followed by "His love endures forever." Then always keep it near you. Post it somewhere in your bedroom... or consider e-mailing it to a friend! Know. Live. Share. Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Thursday, March 4

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:32:05 +0100

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

[Stop] and thank God that He is the Prince of Peace! He is the author and perfecter of our Faith! That He provides a way for us to stand, regardless of our circumstances, and that He is even Lord of creation!

I love the order in this verse. First... we have the incredible gift of the opportunity to go out... walk toward... ANYTHING with joy and peace. It will lead us. Then, when we fix our minds on Jesus and allow that to happen, our circumstances and our surroundings react to that, rather than the other way around! Many times we base our mindset on what we see, our surroundings and our circumstances. I don't know about you, but I have an awfully hard time finding peace when I "go forth" that way. Knowing who God is brings peace.

Instead of the thorn bush will grow a pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed. Isaiah 55:13

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, ALREADY being equipped and prepared with the joy and peace of the Lord before hard times come... pulling up those boots and finding it in the midst of suffering... these are undeniable realities that will bring glory to our Lord. And as usual, the blessing falls on us as well.

Do you really want to make a difference in the world for Christ? It seems to me that although we all have different callings, different places, etc. the common foundation is the pursuit of God in such a way, that we allow HIM to be KING, we allow His presence and His hand to be so large and undeniable in our lives that others have no choice, but to see God.

We can... and should... bring others into the presence of God by never leaving it ourselves.

We all have something to share.

For today: Please read Psalm 40 and Psalm 136.

His love endures forever. YOU are the apple of His eye.

For Discussion: How can we STAND in the love of God? We hear this phrase alot, let's bring it down to personal application. Does that seem to simple? Good. :) I'm so glad... and if not, that's ok. Just remember that sometimes the basic phrases and things we learn as a child are the ones we need to re-enter, understand and apply. I KNOW God loves us. EACH one of us. He made us. And so.....

*This study will finish in just a little over 1 week. We'll begin wrapping things up and bringing them to application and close... please jump in and let's finish this out well! It has been an honor studying with you!

Wednesday, March 3

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:24:51 +0100

Good Morning! I hope you're starting your day seeking peace... and enjoying it thoroughly. :) Don't miss your time in prayer today! I have come to realize something this year that was at first uncomfortable, but I've progressively found is indescribably wonderful. When God says or promises something... there are no exceptions. SO I have access to peace at all times... sometimes He wants us to wrestle with Him in order to find it. Sometimes we need to allow Him to change our hearts and perspective. And the outcome is always amazing!

Do you know what I found strange about the dictionary definition of peace? It seemed like (1.) as you said, it was unable to adequately describe inner peace, and (2.) more than half of the definitions centered around not being at war with another person.

Hmm. Could it be that all men struggle at peace, because it takes commitment to not be living against God? Could this definition actually be pretty realistic?

Could the reason for the lack of description of inner peace be because a secular world... who is always at war... can't experience it without being at peace with God?

Where do you stand?

Know it. Live it. Share it.

Blessed are the peacemakers. For they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

But the 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 who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Do you know what I find interesting? How many times a book of the Bible (In the New Testament particularly) sends people out with peace as a benediction, stating that they are going forth to face troubles. How many times do we seek peace only when we hit a hard place? Or only when we're really suffering?

That's why learning to STAND is preparing. Knowing what you know... always. Having those boots on before the storms even come.

Read Isaiah 55

Notice especially: (v.12) You will go out with joy and by led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

What does that mean to you?

FOR DISCUSSION: Go back to Isaiah 55 and re-read verse 13. How can you summarize this incredible chapter? How can we be makers of peace not only in our own lives, but in the world around us?

Tuesday March 2

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:44:49 +0100

Peace.

Is it really possible?

Is it at all probable?

Yes. Without question.

Do you know the best way to find the inner rock, foundation, and core of peace? You guessed it. Same as always. Please spend a moment on your knees... then we'll dig through His word.

Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:14-15

Peace is for seeking. It's for pursuing. And it's worth it.

FOR TODAY: Please look up the following Scriptures and write down what they reveal about peace. Are you willing to seek? Know it. Live it. Share it on the discussion board. Think through how it already is applying to your life, and how you can "seek peace and pursue it" in your life, TODAY.

Psalm 119:165
Proverbs 14:30
Isaiah 26:3
John 14:27
John 16:33
Galatians 5:22
Philippians 4:7
2 Timothy 2:22

Please check out the dictionary's definition of peace. It didn't quite have the take on it I expected. What do you think? Can't wait to hear from you :) Have a wonderful day seeking the Prince of Peace.

Click Here to View Definition

Monday, March 1

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:45:00 +0100

Good morning my friends! It is so good to be together again in God's word every Monday! I hope you each had a wonderful weekend.

On Friday, I kept you reading for quite some time. Not today. You're welcome. If you missed Friday's discussion you should have time to go back and go through it. I hope it'll be an encouragement to you!

Read Psalm 40.
(Want an extra encouragement today? Read Psalm 33 as well.)

Notice especially:

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. 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. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-3

Whether you have learned to stand yet or not, I hope that you have seen that He has surely give you "a firm place to STAND." What is your song?

Over and over... and OVER again the Psalmists use the phrase "Sing a new song unto the Lord." Have you ever stopped to think about what an incredible thing it is... that

We can ALWAYS sing a NEW song... to the SAME God.

Stop and think that through!

Moses sang a song to God. (Exodus 15:1-18) David sang songs to God (Psalms), and so did many others throughout Scripture. In Revelation, there will be another "new song" Revelation 5:9-10.

Now of course... you don't necessarily have to sing. Maybe a new song could be called a testimony. And BECAUSE of your testimony, spoke out loud... "May will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." Know what you know. Live what you know. Share what you know. That's how others will see the reality of our AWESOME, WORTHY, HOLY GOD.

David sang a new song. Moses sang a new song. Mary, the mother of Jesus sang a new song. They were all just people. Literally people just like you and like me. The reason we can learn from them is because they pursued God... and they told others about it. And God did the IMPOSSIBLE in their lives.

Below is an incredible video that I hope and pray will be an encouragement to you today. That's my King. Do you KNOW HIM?

For Discussion:
What is your testimony? Let's use an outline of 3 like we did on Friday.
1. Where are you coming from... and what do you KNOW?
2. Where do you Stand right now?
3. What are you doing about what you know? (You do not have to share that if you're not comfortable with it. Just make sure you think it through. Gather a plan of action.) What do you know about God's character that gives you an assurance that He has plans for "a hope and a future" for YOU?

Why should we put so much emphasis on how to praise, and sing a new song? Because that my friends, is how we plant our feet. That is how we stand. And that is how others can Know Christ.

Sing a NEW SONG to our Great God!
"I sing a new song, but you are the same God.
Lord you have loved us all by name.
I sing a new song, but you are the same God
And your kingdom forever will reign."