John 13:37-38
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Then Jesus answered “Will you really lay down your life for me? I will tell you the truth, before the rooster crows you will disown me three times!”
How often have we declared our love for Jesus in one setting, but disowned (denied) Him in others? Today is a good day to try to do better.
John’s gospel gives us an account of Jesus taking the time prior to His arrest, to pray for all Believers. He prayed for Himself (John 17:1-5), His disciples (John 17:6-19), and for all believers (John 17:20-26). Just think about that for a moment, Jesus, our Lord and Savior praying for us. The New International Version of the Bible in the footnote to John 17:20 states: “Jesus had just spoken of the mission and the sanctification …of His followers (vv18-19). He was confident that they would spread the gospel, and He prayed for those who would believe as a result. All future believers were included in this prayer.”
Let’s continue to follow Jesus’ example by praying daily for all believers. Let’s especially ask God to lead us “not into temptation.” That we learn to recognize the triggers that can cause us to commit sin in thought, words, or deeds.
Let’s also pray that we understand that God does love us and that we put on that love each day and share it with all people by treating them to a “heaping helping” of God’s love.
Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for praying for us. We ask that you give us the courage to pray for others. In your name, Amen.
All Scripture from The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995.
(Reprint from Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry, Facebook, Sepetember 2010)
October 30, 2014 – Schedule Life Change Series – We are on lesson Fifteen – John 13:1-38, Peter’s denial prediction, Page 143.
If there are questions, respond by the social media on which you received this notice.
From our lesson of The Shunammite Woman, 2 Kings 4:8-37; 2 Kings 8:1-6, here are some important points. The points do not directly answer the questions on pages 127-129 of the text, but may help you in our discussion of the Saturday Bible Study 10/25/2014
1. No name was found for the Shunammite Woman during this research. She was described as a well-to-do Woman. (2 Kings 4:8).
2. She was generous and hospitable, she was a wealthy and capable woman who showed great kindness to one of God’s prophets. (3, pg. 127)
3. She said to her husband, ” I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us. (2Kings 4:9-10 and NIV footnote)
4. Moved by her kindness, Elisha inquired, through his servant, Gehazi, whether he could use his influence with Israel’s King on her behalf. But the woman wasn’t looking for favors at court, so Elisha pressed his servant, saying, “What, then, can be done for her?” (2, pg. 227)
She replied, “I have a home among my own people.” (2 Kings 13 and NIV footnote)
5. Gehazi merely pointed out the obvious: the woman and her aging husband were childless, without an heir to carry on the family name. So Elisha summoned the woman and made an incredible promise: “About this time next year you will hold a son in your arms.” (2, pg. 228)
6. The Shunammite Woman’s response: “No, my lord, she objected. Don’t mislead your servant, O man of God!” (2, pg. 228)
7. But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha told her. (2 Kings 4:17)
Unlike so many of her female forebears—Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Tamar, Hannah— the Shunammite Woman seemed content without children. Elisha’s promise, however, was an arrow homing straight to its target, fulfilling the unspoken desire of her heart. (2, pg. 228)
8. The child became ill and died, the Shunammite Woman and a servant travelled, with her husband’s knowledge, to Mt. Carmel to find Elisha. (2 Kings 4:22-23)
She rushed to him, exclaiming, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I tell you, “Don’t raise my hopes?” (2, pg. 228)
9. Elisha instructed his servant to go ahead to Shunem, and how to restore the boy to life in his absence. The servant followed Elisha’s instructions, but was unable to restore the boy to life. (2 Kings 4:31)
10. Elisha arrived at the house of the Shunammite Woman, He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. He was able to restore the boy to life. The Shunammite Woman was told, ” Take your son,” She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out. (2 Kings 4:32-37)
11. She was warned by Elisha to “go away with your family and stay for awhile wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years”. (2 Kings 8:1)
12. She followed Elisha’s instructions, by staying in the land of the Philistines for seven years. (2 Kings 8:2)
13. She returned to Shunem, and went to the king to beg for her house and land. (2 Kings 8:3 and NIV footnote)
14. At the same time the king was talking to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant. (2 Kings 8:4)
15. Gehazi told the king how Elisha restored the dead to life. (2 Kings 8:5)
16. Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son who Elisha restored to life.” (2 Kings 8:5)
17. “Give her everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.” (2 Kings 8:6)
1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995. (All Scriptures)
2. Women of the Bible, One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007.
3. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.
The Shunammite Woman, is our fourteenth study in our series from Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups by Jean E Syswerda. The study of The Shunammite Woman, is found on page 127. The Bible Study will meet 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you have not received your books for the study, please see Glenda. Remember that all materials are free as they are gifts to you from students participating in Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry. For information contact Glenda at 727-542-4683.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
Committing to the Lord is making His plan your plan. Have faith because His plan cannot fail.
When we ask God (through prayer) to meet our needs, we expect Him to answer “yes,” every time. We’ve already had the time to assess and examine our situation; therefore, we know that we do need God’s help. The help we want from Him (as our Father) is His endorsement, His permission, and His granting of our wish. God’s love for us and His moral attributes will not allow Him to give us His endorsement, His permission, or His wish fulfillment to all that his beloved children request of Him.
“God is just and righteous because He reacts to law—His Law. His love has a self-imparting quality that leads God to seek the highest good for His Creation (us) and to seek complete possession of us”. Psalm 145:9, 15-20a: – “The Lord is good to all he has made. You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him.” Romans 2:2-4 “You, therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance, and patience not realizing that God’s kindness leads toward repentance?” (Cook pg. 6) Thank you God, for the times you’ve said “no.”
“God’s love seeks to reclaim those who wander from Him”. Jeremiah 50:6 – “My people have been lost; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountains and hill and forgot their own resting place. Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, “We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their true pasture, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.” (Cook pg. 7) Thank you God, for the times you’ve said, “No” to us economically. You’ve changed our financial structure, financial contracts, resources, job security, positions, titles, and our tenure. This has caused a domino effect in the whole world’s finance system.
“He desires to seek and to save those who are lost because of His Love.”
2 Peter 3:3-9 – “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is the coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water by water. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (Cook Pg 6) Thank you God, for the times you’ve said “no” to our hanging out with the wrong crowd.
“God is all powerful. He can do any/all things consistent with His nature and purpose. He is able to do all that He wills to do. God does what is right.” Romans 1:16-17a – “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith.” (Cook pg 5) Thank you God, for the times you’ve said “no” by preventing us from moving forward, without your direction. We were packed up and ready to go to what we perceived as the next logical step, you, God were able to bring everything to a screeching halt.
We often respond negatively to God’s refusals to us, His answers of “no.” Some of us truly grieve at the loss of God’s endorsement, His permission, and His granting of our wishes. Others may resort to pouting, complaining, passive-aggressive behavior, or by shutting down to a life-long pity party. Still others may decide to try another god who is permissive, and caters to all of their whims until it’s time for the natural and logical consequences to occur. James 1:2-8 reminds us to “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. If anyone likes wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
When we are faced with any situation, know that all things begin and end with God for the Believer. When answers are needed, be humble and courageous enough to go to the source (God) for all answers, for the Believer.
Prayer: Thank you God, for restraining us by saying, “No.” We humbly receive your corrections with gratitude to you, in the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
Rev. Glenda Brunson
1.All scriptures from the NIV Study Bible, The Zondervan Corporation, 1995
2.Cook, James L., Introduction to Theology, A Summery Outline, St. Petersburg Theological Seminary
(Reprint from August 2010 Facebook)
From our lesson of Jebezel, 1 Kings 16:29-33, 18:1-19:2, 21:1-25, 2 Kings 9, here are some important points. The points do not directly answer the questions on pages 119-122 of the text, but may help you in our discussion of the Saturday Bible Study 10/11/2014
1. Her name means: “Where is the Prince (Baal)?”or “The Prince (Baal) Exists” (3, pg. 119).
2. Her character: A religious woman, she spread idolatry throughout Israel. Powerful, cunning, and arrogant, she actively opposed God, even in the face of indisputable proofs of His sovereignty. (3, pg. 119)
3. She promoted Baal Worship: . . . Jezebel’s ardent worship was directed not to the God of Israel but to the pagan god Baal, thought to control the rain and hence the harvest. (2, pg. 213).
4. She was the Sidonian Wife of Ahab: . . . he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. (1 Kings 16:31)
5. She killed Prophets of the Lord: So determined was she to convert Israel to her own religion that she hunted down and killed all the prophets she could lay hands on, replacing them with 850 of her own. (2, pg. 213)
6. She opposed Elijah: Elijah Flees to Horeb: Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, ” May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tmorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” (1 Kings 19:1-2 and ft. note)
7. She had Naboth Killed: Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden . . . (21:2). But Nabath replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”(21:3). 1 Kings 21: 7-16 gives a detailed account of how Jezebel used her power to have Naboth killed so that she could satisfy her husband’s desire to have Naboth’s vineyard to use for his vegetable garden. (1 Kings 21:7-19.)
8. Her death was prophesied: “And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: ‘Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ (1 Kings 21:23)
9. She confronts Jehu: Tough as nails, Jezebel stood proudly at the window of her palace. Never one to back away from a challenge, Jezebel, seized the initiative, shouting at Jehu: ” Have you come in peace, Zimri (the name of a traitor), you murderer of your master?” But Jehu simply ignored her challenging those who stood near her. “Who is on my side? Throw her down!” Quickly Jezebel’s servants shoved her through the window. The palace walls were spattered a bloody red as horses trampled her body and the palace dogs finished the job. (2, pg. 215)
10. She becomes a symbol of wickedness: Nevertheless, I have this against you. You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. (Revelation 2:20-21)
1. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1995. (All Scriptures) 2. Women of the Bible, One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007. 3. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me , Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in the prophets and you will be successful.”
God’s promises never fail. Have faith in whatever God has sent you to do. It may be a battle, but God will uphold you.
Jezebel, is our thirteenth study in our series from Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups by Jean E Syswerda. The study of Jezebel is found on page 119. The Bible Study will meet 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you have not received your books for the study, please see Glenda. Remember that all materials are free as they are gifts to you from students participating in Homewords Small Group Bible Study Ministry. For information contact Glenda at 727-542-4683.
Homewords Ministry 