The Secret of Effective Prayer

Helen Smith Shoemaker

1/29/2017

Grand Villa of St. Petersburg Senior Living

Glenda Brunson, Instructor

Introductions of the Author:

The author, Helen Smith Shoemaker’s obituary.  (1903- 1993)  Prayer warrior.   The article sums up her life as an author, sculptor, and church leader, died of a stroke at Meridan Healthcare Center in Brooklandville, Md.  She was 89.  (1 )

The former Helen Dominick Smith was born in New York City. She was the daughter of the late H. Alexander Smith, who was a U. S. senator from New Jersey from 1944 to 1958, and Helen Babcock Dominick.

Helen Smith Shoemaker (March 16, 1903-January 29, 1993) was an American author, sculptor, and Episcopalian church leader, and Co-founder and Co-founder of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer.(2)

Biographical Points: Born in New York City. Educated in Colorado, Princeton, New Jersey, and Florence, Italy.  She studied art in Paris and New York .Attracted to Moral Re-Armament Movement (MRA) in the 1920’s in New York.

She met and married Dr. Samuel Moor Shoemaker (December 27, 1893 – October 31, 1963). He was considered as one of the best preachers in that era.  He served as rector of Calvary Episcopal Church.  (3)

Shoemaker’s contribution and service to Alcoholic’s Anonymous had a worldwide effect.  The philosophy that Shoemaker codified in conjunction with Bill Wilson, is used in almost every country around the world to treat alcoholism.  Similar programs are used to help relatives of alcoholics, as well as people suffering with other addictions such as to narcotics. (3)

Introduction to the Course:  This is the third time I’ve taught from this book, The Secret of Effective Prayer.  I wrote a Reading Guide to assist with the study and learning process.  This Guide is helpful, because our group and other bloggers will be able to track the intended answers by the page numbers that are provided.

Introduction to the Book, The Secret of Effective Prayer by Helen Smith Shoemaker, Word Book, Waco Texas, 1967. Homewords Group members have provided books for the participants of the prayer group.

1. Helen Smith Shoemaker | Helen S. ShoemakerAuthor, church …

articles.baltimoresun.com/…/1993032061_1_calvary-episcopal-urologic-surgery-shoe…

2.Helen Smith Shoemaker – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Smith_Shoemaker

3. Sam Shoemaker – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Shoemaker

Week 2 Part 1 Chapters 1-6 will cover pages 14-37.

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Bible Study Notes from The Gosple of John – Lesson One

 

Overview Summary of  Lesson One

Life Changes Series by NAVPRESS (1)

Who is John?

John describes himself only as “ the disciple whom Jesus loved.” (John 13:23 plus ft.nt., 19:26, 20:2; 21:7, 20; see also 21:24).

John was  the son of Zebedee, a Fisherman (Mark 1:19-20); his mother was Salome (Mark 15: 40, Matt. 27:56).  He was the brother of James (Matt. 4: 21-22).

He was prominent in the early church but is not mentioned by name in this Gospel—which would be natural if he wrote it, but hard to explain otherwise. (NIV pg. 2177)

The book for this study is outlined simply, to give us a tour of the book of John.  The author gives the students the time to slowly get use to the author and how he (John) writes and teaches us about the gift of eternal life Jesus offers to all who believe in Him.

The study guide has work book exercises. Some important workbook exercises for this lesson were:

Outlining JOHN – One of the important guides in understanding the Bible is to identify the author’s intent in writing the book. In this study, on page 11, the author asks the student to, as you initially read the book, make a broad outline of the book by giving a title to each chapter or themes within a chapter.  Pages 11 and 12 provide assistance with a chapter/verse guide of important sections.

Question 5 on page 12 – “What do you learn about John’s intent and purpose for writing John from 20:30-31? “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Four Gospels (page 14) – The group was given enough information to compare and contrast the gospel of John with the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke by reading “Four Gospels” on pages 14-15.

1. Life Change Series, JOHN, The Navigators, NavPress,1987
2. Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV), Zondervan Corporation, 2002

 

 

 

 

Michal -22 Points for Bible Study, April 16, 2016

Key Scriptures:  I Samuel 18:20-29; 19:11-17; 2 Samuel 6:16-23.

1. Her name means: ” Who is like God?”
2. Her Character:  A woman of strong emotions, she was unable to control the important circumstances of her life.  Forcibly separated from two husbands, she lost her father and her brother, who were savaged by their enemies.
3. Michal was the younger daughter of King Saul.  “Saul’s sons were Johnathan,  Ishvi, and Malki-Shua.  The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger daughter was Michal.” (I Samuel 14:49)
4. Michal’s mother name was not found.  His, (King Saul’s) wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. (I Samuel 14:50). There was no indication that Ahinoam was Michal’s mother.
5. David enters the scene as a musician/harpest, who became Saul’s armor-bearer. ( I Samuel 16:14-23)
6. The Philistines were at war with the Israelites, Goliath was terrifying the Israelites with his stature, his taunts, and his record as a champion warrior. ( I Samuel 17: 1-16, 23-25)
7. It was reported to David by the Israelites: ” The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him(Goliath).  He will also give him his daughter in marriage and exempt his father’s family from taxes in Israel.”(I Samuel 17:25-27)
8. King Saul promised his oldest daughter, Merab, to David in marriage if he agreed to fight the Philistines, He wished for David to be killed by the Philistines because he had become jealous/afraid of David. (See I Samuel 18: 6-19).
9. David refused to become King Saul’s son-in-law at that time. (I Samuel 18:18
10. Saul gave the older daughter to someone else in marriage. (1 Samuel 18:19).
11. Michal loved David (I Samuel 18:20-30), which pleased her father.  This is reported to be  ” the only instance in all biblical narrative in which we are explicitly told that a woman loves a  man”( The Art of Biblical Narrative, p. 118; cf. similarly Adele Berlin, “Characterization in Biblical Narrative: David’s Wives,” JSOT 23 (1982).
12. Michal was used by her father, King Saul to ensnare David, which backfired. ( I Samuel  18:28-29).
13. Michal’s brother becomes an ally for David. (I Samuel 19:1-8.)
14. Michal warned David and helped him escape when Saul sent men to David’s house to kill him. (I Samuel 19:11 – 17).
15. ” Saul said to Michal, ” Why did you deceive me like this and send my  enemy away so that he escaped?”  Michal told him, “He said to me, Let me get away.  Why should I kill you?” ( I Samuel 19:17).
16. But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife to Paltiel, son of  Laish, who was from Gallim. ( I Samuel 25:44).
17. Michal is returned to David.  13.  “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you.  But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal, daughter of Saul when you come to see me.”  14.Then David sent  to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my  wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”  15. So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.  16.  Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim.  Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back. ( 2 Samuel 3:13-15)
18. David Becomes King Over Israel.  1. All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2.  In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.  And the Lord said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel and you will become their ruler. 3.  When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron,  the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.  (2 Samuel 5:1-3, NIV)
19. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem. 1.  David again brought, the Lord together out of Israel  chosen men, thirty thousand in all. 2. He and all his men set out for Baalam of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark. of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.( 2 Samuel 6:1-5)
20. Michal Dispised David. As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal, daughter of Saul watched from a window.  And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she dispised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6: 16)
21. Michal Confronts King David.20.  When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said,” How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls and servants as any vulgar fellow would.” (2 Samuel 6:20)
22.  Michal had no children.  And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.  (2 Samuel 6:23)

Sources:

1. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 3, The Zondervan Corporation, 1992.

2. The Holy Bible, New International Version, The Zondervan Corporation, 1973.

3. Syswerda, Jean E, Women of the Bible, The Zondervan Corporation, 1999.

 

 

 

 

Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is with heartfelt gratitude that I stand before this waiting congregation this morning. I invite the Holy Spirit to continue to lead and guide this service. It is my hope that all who hear these words will grow to understand your love for each of us, and that we will pass that love on to others. In Jesus name I do pray. Amen.

Key Scripture:  1 John 3:1-6.  “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it does not know him. 

2. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 
3. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
4. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
5. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins.  And in him is no sin.
6. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.  No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

 

The Song:  Jesus Loves Me:

Jesus loves me, this simple child-like song was written in the 1800’s.  The lyrics are credited to Anna Bartlett Warren in 1860, and the music and chorus  is credited to William B. Bradbury. (Google)

If you grew up as a “church-kid”, “Jesus Loves Me,” was probably one of the first songs you were taught that you can still remember.

Jesus Loves Me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to him belong, They are weak but He is strong.

The song and our key Scripture (1 John 3:1-6), goes on to affirm that the proof of Jesus’ love for you and me can be found in the Bible.  One of my favorite teaching questions in any Bible Study or Sunday School class, is  asking “where can we find that information in the Bible” Someone may be courageous enough to ask why finding information in the Bible, makes an affirmation or statement so special, and true?

BIBLE HISTORY:

We can then explain that the Bible is a very important book.  Psalm 119: 105  says, “ Your word (the Bible) is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path  ( Ft. nt. Lamp…light. Apart from which I could only grope about in darkness.( NIV pg. 1253)  We’ve all had periods of groping about in darkness.  We don’t need to continue groping in darkness. By asking the Holy Spirit to help us as we read and study the Bible will guide us to an understanding of God’s Words. Light and/or understanding can be gained which is meant to put us on the right path. The path that God wants us to travel.   He has a path for each of us, based on the gifts and talents He has given us.

The Bible is a collection of ancient writings about God (Yahweh) in two (2) parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Testament means agreement, Scripture means “Sacred Writings”.  The Old Testament contains stories about an old agreement between God (Yahweh) and man (the Hebrews) when the Hebrews came out of Egypt …and how it worked out.  (1. A Scriptographic Booklet, pg.2).

The Scriptures that we study are “God Breathed,” the life that God’s breath  gives to His words is the same life that God breathed into Adam.  “Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”(2. NIV Study Bible, pg. 13). “ 2 Timothy 3:16-17- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,: 17- so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”( 3. NIV Study Bible, pg, 2525).

The New Testament contains stories and teachings about a new agreement between God and man based on the teachings and life of Jesus –who opened up a relationship with God to all men who believed in Him and accepted God’s forgiveness of their sins. (4. A Scriptographic  Booklet, same pg 2)

The Bible was written by many different authors, mostly Hebrews, some unknown.  It was written at different times over about 1,000 years —from about  900 B.C. to 100 A.D.  At different places – Palestine, Babylon, Egypt. Rome, Corinth. The Bible was written for different purposes—to teach religion and patriotism, to describe the Messiah.  (3. Same)

The Protestant Bibles includes 66 writings. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Angelician Bibles contains 73 writings.(4. Same).  Protestant – any Western Christian who is not an adherent of a Catholic, Angelican, or Eastern Church. (Google- Protestant)

Scriptural Proof of Jesus’ love for us:

Where does the Bible tell me that Jesus loves me? Here are just a few Scriptures that teach of Jesus’s love for us: (Note: use of NIV translation of the Bible)

1. John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. 1 John 4:8 – Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.
3. John 15:9-10 – As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love. If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love.            
4. John 13:34 – A new command I give you, Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
5. Psalm 145:9 – The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Who is Jesus? 

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

John 1:1-14 –In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

6. 2 Chronicles 7: 14 – If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
7. 1 John 4:19 – 21

19.We love because he first loved us. 

20.If anyone says, “ I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

21. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

 

Jesus’ love is not a permissive love, by any means.

Hebrews 12: 5-8 says:

5. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6. because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.
7. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father? 
8. If you are not disciplines (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

 

It is my hope that the Song: Jesus Loves Me,  will get into our hearts and minds in a new way.  Not to minimize our time spent together, but to enhance how we value the love Jesus has for us. Jesus loves us completely.  He wants a continuing love relationship with us.  He doesn’t want anyone to be lost to sin.

 

“Yes, Jesus Loves Me” is the title of the message delivered by Reverend Glenda Brunson in the worship service at Grand Villa of Saint Petersburg, FL on September 27, 2015. The Sunday services are provided by Sharing the Glory Ministries, Pastor Alfonso Woods, Pastor. 

 

 

 

Salome, Mother of the Zebedees

Key Scriptures: Matthew 20:20-24, 27:56; Mark 15:40-41, 16:1-2

Points for Bible Study February 27,2016

1.  Her name, the Feminine form of “Solomon,” means “Peace.” (4., pg. 201.)
2. She was the wife of Zebedee, a prosperous fisherman on Sea of Galilee.  The only glimpse we have of him is in his boat mending the nets when Jesus came and called his two sons to follow him. There was no action on Zebedee’s part to detain them.  (1., pg. 285.)
3. Zebedee – The father of the apostles James and John (Mark 1:19-20) by Salome (Mark 15:40; Matt. 27:56). Zebedee and his sons were associated with Simon and Andrew in a fishing business at Capernaum (Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:10).  The fact that he had servants (Mark 1:20) and that his wife seems to have contributed toward  Jesus’ support (Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:2-3) makes it appear that he was a man of  some means.  The gospels offer no evidence that he actively followed Jesus, though he seems not to have hindered the activity of the wife and the sons (2., pg. 940.)
4. Her character:  Salome, one of the saintly women who followed and ministered to Jesus, appears to have been one of His disciples from the outset of His ministry.  She had no doubt as to His Messiahship. (1., pg. 285)
5. A faithful disciple – She remained a faithful disciple of Jesus’ up to the very end.  She was present at the crucifixion, when her sons had withdrawn.  She was also among the women who went to the tomb and found Jesus had risen from the dead. (1., pg.285-286.)
6. Salome, Aunt of Jesus – (John 19:25) Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (NIV – John 19:25).Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.  (Ft.nt. Mark 15:40 – Mary Magdalene. From Lk. 8:2 we learn that Jesus had driven seven demons out of her.  Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses. See v. 47; 16:1,   Salome, Probably the wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John (See Mt.27:56.) In John 19:25 “his mother’s sister” probably is to be distinguished from “Mary the wife of Clopas,” and Salome may be meant. This would make Salome and Zebedee aunt and uncle, and James and John cousins of Jesus. (2., pg. 167)
7. Salome – Mother of James – James left his father Zebedee and the family fishing business to follow Jesus with other Apostles.  Along with his brother John and their, partner Peter, James became one of Jesus’ favored followers.  The ambitious, short-tempered  James was the church’s first martyr, he was executed at the hands of Herod Agrippa I, 15 years after Jesus died.
8. Salome – Mother of John, the Apostle.  Matt 4:21-22 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother, John.  They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.  Jesus called to them,  (v22) and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
9. Salome – She, misunderstood the meaning of the Kingdom of God. As a very ambitious  mother, she asked for her sons to be placed at His right and left hand, when the earthly kingdom she expected came into being, Jesus explained that these positions weren’t His to give. He also questioned her as to whether she and her sons would be able to endure the suffering that would be required. In effect, Jesus asked if her sons were prepared to drink the cup of martyrdom, which in the end, they did. James was the first apostle to be martyred, and John, the last. The mother sought instant positions for her sons. But, by losing their lives for Christ’s sake, they gained greater honor in heaven. (1., pg. 286)

Sources:

1. Charles, Sylvia, Women in the Bible, 1988, Virgil Hensley Publishing.
2. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume R-Z, 1962, Abingdon Press.
3. Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
4. Syswerda, Jean E., Women of the Bible, 1999, Zondervan.

 

 

 

A Recall for Service

Background Scripture John 21: 1-25

Prayer:  Lord, we’ve come today to worship you and to bring glory to your name during this Lenten season.  May we be more aware during this 40 day period of the sacrifice that you made when you gave your life as a payment for our sins.  May we then go through this year with a new found sense of gratitude to you.  In your name, Amen.

 

THE MESSAGE:  “ A RECALL TO SERVICE”  AKA:  “ WHERE’S PETER?”

The word, RECALL, means to officially return to a place. Synonyms: summon back, order back, call back.  Some of us may have gotten a recall on some parts to our car, because some part of the car may have proven or suspect to be defective.  We then need to take our cars back to the dealership for repairs.

In our message today, the disciple Peter, has gotten a recall. “ Who recalled Peter?”  “ Jesus!”  Why, because Peter had some defects that had prevented him from doing what he’d vowed not to do?

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (Matthew 26:31-35):

31. Then Jesus told them, “ This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

32. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33. Peter replied, “ Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 . “ I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered,  “ this very night,  before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35. But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Our focus is on Peter today, but there were a total of eleven other disciples, at this time, Judas had departed (Mt. 26:25). So we are focusing on the eleven with Peter as the leader.

Background: The Calling of the First Disciples

All four gospels unite in reporting that Peter became a disciple of Jesus in the very early days of Jesus ‘ ministry. (Matt. 4:18-22, Mark. 1: 16-20, Luke 5:1-11,John 1:35-42).   (1., page 749)

The practice of mentioning Peter first was not due simply to his early call or to his prominence in the apostolic age.  Throughout Jesus ministry Peter was an outstanding member of the twelve.  At times he acted as a vigorous individual quick to take the initiative. (1., page 750)

For example: In Matt. 14:28 – where Peter volunteered to come to Jesus upon water, though he  became afraid  while carrying out his proposal. (1., page 750)

The scene plays out and Jesus is arrested in Matt.26: 47-55. The last line of this Scripture says, “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” Where was Peter?

Peter was located:

Matt. 26:69-75 – At verses 69 – Here’s Peter: “Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard….”

Mk. 14:66-72 – “ While Peter was below in the courtyard…..”

Luke 22:54-62 …. “Peter followed at a distance.”

John 18:25-27 “As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of the disciples, are you?”

The Crucifixion  Happens:

Where’s Peter?

John 20:1 …. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb  ( Jesus’ tomb) and  saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance….

John 20:2  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple….. All of the Gospels now account for Peter’s whereabouts.(Matt. 28:7, Mark 16:7, Luke 24:12). Peter’s presence was accounted for with the other ten disciples.

The disciples go fishing (John 21:1-3):

1. Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:

2. Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

3. “I’m going out to fish.” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “ we’ll go out with you.”  So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Jesus Prepares Breakfast for the eleven disciples (John 21:4-14):

4. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus.

5. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

6. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

8. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord

13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same thing with the fish.

14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter (John 21:15-19):

15. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “ Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”

“Yes Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16. Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17. The third time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He said, Lord you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said , “Feed my sheep.

18. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”

19. Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

After what Peter felt and experienced: fear for his life without the protection of Jesus, and trying desperately to save himself by denying that he was one of Jesus’ disciples. He is face to face with Jesus, who tells him what he needs to do next as a testament to his love for Jesus.  “Feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep.”  How would Peter accomplish this task?  With the gifts Jesus had gifted him with, before he became afraid.

Leaders of God’s flock have been called to feed His sheep.  Be careful not to allow any past sins and mistakes to deter you from this “Call.”  Prayerfully ask God to show you where He’s at work and join Him. Do His work His way. (2, pp. 7-28.)

Jesus Reinstated Peter- He issued a RECALL with the instructions that he was to prove his love for Jesus by feeding His sheep.   

References:

1. Blackaby, Henry & Richard, King, Claude, Experiencing God, Lifeway Press 2007
2. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, In Four Volumes, K-Q, Abingdon Press, 1962
3. NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, 1973

Note: This message was delivered by Pastor Glenda Brunson at Grand Villa St. Petersburg, Reverend Al Woods, Pastor on Sunday February 14, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jael, 10 Points for Bible Study -7/11/15

For our lesson of Jael, found in Judges 4-5, and in our workbook, Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, by Jean E. Syswerda. The lesson is on pages 67-70.

1.  Jael – the name means: “a wild or mountain goat.” (3, pg. 67)

2.  Her character: Decisive and courageous, she seized the opportunity to kill an enemy of God’s people. (3, pg. 67)

3. Her joy: To be lauded by Deborah and Barak for her part in a decisive victory.  (4,pg 116)

4.  Her husband: Heber, a Kenite: The husband of Jael, the woman who killed Sisera. (Judges 4:11, 17, 21; 5:24)  Considerations of meter make it probable that “the wife of Heber, the Kenite” was inserted into Judges 5:24 under the influence of Judges 4.  (1, pg. 552)

5.  Now Heber, the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh. (2, Judges 4:11, pg. 453)

6.  Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. (2, Judges 4:4, pg.452)

7.  Sisera was the commander of Jabin’s, a King of Canaan, army.  All of Siseras’ nine-hundred chariots and men were killed by Barak’s army.  Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there were friendly relations between Jabin king of Hazor, and the clan of Heber, the Kenite. (2, Judges 4:1, pg. 452 and Judges 4:15-17, pg. 454).

8.  Sisera was met outside the tent by Jael. “Come, my lord, come right in.  Don’t be afraid.”  So he entered her tent, and she put a covering over him. (2, Judges 4:18).

9.  But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted.  She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died. (2, Judges 4: 21 and footnote)

10.  Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him.  “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.”  So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead.  (2, Judges 4:22 Bible, Pg. 454, and footnote)

Resources:

1. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume Two E-J, In Four Volumes, Abingdon Press, New York 1962.
2. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan 2008 Edition (All scriptures)
3. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups,Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999.
4. Women of the Bible,  One Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture,Ann Spangler and Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan, 2007.

Rebekah Bible Study, 10 Points for Bible Study 4/11/2015

For our lesson of Rebekah, Genesis 24; 25:19-34; 26:1-28 on pages 28-31, in our main text Women of the Bible by Jean E Syswerda.

1.  Her name probably means “Loop” or “Tie”. (2, pg.28.)

2.  Her character: Hard-working and generous, her faith was so great that she left her home forever to marry a man she had never met.  Yet she played favorites with her sons and failed to trust God fully for the promise he had made. ( 3, pg. 28)

3. Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, Abraham’s nephew, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac,and mother of Esau and Jacob. (1, pg. 14)

4. Genesis 24:1-9, Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. 2. He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. 3. I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4. but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.(Ft. nt.Gen. 24:2-chief servant in his household. Probably Eliezer of Damascus, see note on 15:2).  Put your hand under my thigh, Near the organ of procreation, probably because this oath was related to Abraham’s last will and testament and called for faithful implementation on the part of his son, Isaac must accept Abraham’s and God’s choice (see also Genesis 47:29 and note). 5. The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land?  Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?” 6. “Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said. 7. “The Lord, the God of heaven,  who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me an oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’– he will send his angel before you so that you can get  a wife for my son from there. 8. If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9. So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter. (2, pg. 56)

5. Genesis 24:10-12 – Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master.  He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Then he prayed, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.(1, pg 56.)

6. Genesis 24:15-18 – Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder.  She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor.  The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her.  She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.” “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. (1, pg. 57)

7. Genesis 24:50-51 – Laban and Bethuel answered, this is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other.  Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed. (1, pg 58)

8. Genesis 24:66-67 – Then the servant told Isaac all he had done.  Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah.  So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (1, pg. 59)

9. Genesis 25:21-23 – Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren.  The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.  The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?”  So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two people from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”(1, pg.60-61)

10. Genesis 25:24-26 – When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in the womb.  The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment, so they named him Esau.  After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob.  Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. (1, pg. 61)

1. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume Four R-Z, In Four Volumes, Abingdon Press, New York 1962.

2. The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan 2008 Edition (All scriptures)

3. Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, Jean E Syswerda, Zondervan, 1999, pg. 221.

“The Value of Man Today!”

Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, let us make man in our own image, in our own likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

Genesis 2:7 – The Lord God formed the man from the dust, of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

“The Genesis 2 account of God’s creation of man is introduced with a description of the actions of the God of Israel.  Verse 7 begins with the phrase, ” And the Lord God…” This refers to YHWH, the Hebrew name for God.  This is “Jehovah Elohim,” the self-existent and supreme God, the Ruler of all.  While Genesis 2:7-25 focuses on the human being and the human experience, reverence for the holiness of God stands as the precursor to those events.” (1)

“The phrase “heavens and earth” is found  in that order, three times in Genesis 1:1, 2:1 and 2:4.  However, Genesis 2:4 then reverses the order and focuses on the human being on earth rather than God in heaven.  This signals the shift in God’s emphasis to the human experience (Berlin and Brettler 2004).  The shift also shows man’s complete dependence on God.  Human origin is God’s responsibility and God is the source of sustenance.” (1)

“The creative act of putting man on earth was a unique operation of God.  In verse 7 the words for “man” (Heb.’adam, aw-DAWM) and “ground” (Heb,. ‘adamah, ad-aw-MAW) come from the same root word.  Man’s formation from the from the ground indicates God’s ability to make the inanimate animate.  God formed, made, and established man by shaping, and fashioning similarly to an artist creating a painting  or a potter rendering a piece of art. The basest ingredients God used to create man.  These are not spectacular elements. They have no value, no reproductive qualities;yet they are the very items that God uses.” (1)

“God’s interaction with man was a two-fold process.  First, God formed man from the dust of the ground.  In English, we usually translate the word “dust” as fine particles.  A stronger translation of “dust” would be “clods, lumps,of earth, soil or dirt.”  This would indicate that God formed man from clumps of dirt.” (1)

“The second phase required God’s breathing into man’s nostrils.  Formation of the human species culminated in a physical body, but the “breath of life was the spiritual phenomena that made man a living soul.  The phrase “breath of life” means “the breath that gives life.”  Until God put His breath into man, man was nothing but a lump of clay that could not move alone. The breath of God was the power that made the difference between the physical man and the spiritual man.  Thus, Adam became a living being.  Only the divine nature of God can bring that which is without life into life.” (1)

The New International Version of the Bible footnote to Genesis 1:26 teaches this: since human beings are made in God’s image they are all worthy of honor and respect; they are neither to be murdered (Gen 9:6) or cursed (James 3:9-10). (2)

We are living in a time when man is so devalued.  We’ve become unwilling to support, care for, or nurture man.  We find man being constantly replaced by other means to create life, to do meaningful work, and to take care of the world.  Yet, there is a charge given to man by God in Genesis 1:28. What can be done to restore man to his rightful place of value? Jesus gave us two great commandments–to love God with all our hearts and souls and minds and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:34-40)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us the courage to begin to show your love to our fellow-man so that your name may be glorified. In the name of Jesus, Amen

1. Price, Cheryl, Carey, Evangeline, Sailes, Rosa. With These Hands, Inspiring a Call to Stewardship for God’s Creation, Urban Ministries, Inc., 2010.

2. The Holy Bible, New International Version, Zondervan, 1973.

“When You Pray to God, What do You Expect to Happen?”

Matthew 11:9-13
“So I say: Ask and it will will be given unto you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

When you pray to God, do you really expect a positive response?  Do you expect a response at all? If you are unsure how to answer this question, like many of us may be, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate the kind of relationship you have with the heavenly Father.

When is the last time you really talked to God?  When was the last time you really listened to God?  Maybe your prayer-style has not been a conversation where active-listening was used at all.  Here’s an example, a family member comes to talk to you,  the person immediately starts to apologize for not coming sooner or more often.  The person talks about how badly they now need your help with a list of favors, immediately. They further explain their desperation and their need for help as they urge you to get busy answering their requests.  Is this example close to your/family member prayer style?

This would be the time to guide this family member through prayer, because it’s God’s guidance, through you that’s needed. It does little good, I feel, to say to someone who’s wings of faith are in their infancy, “just pray about it!”

Blackaby and King tells us in their book, Experiencing God If you do not have clear instructions from God in a matter,

-Pray and wait

-Learn patience

-Depend on God’s timing

-His timing is right and best.(pg. 75)

Now, we are not God, nor do we understand the mind of God or His Ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  God is however, availing Himself to us, each day through prayer.

“Prayer is a Relationship to a Person.”

“Prayer is a two-way fellowship and communication–you speak to God and He speaks to you.  Prayer is not a one-way conversation in which you merely list everything you want God to do.  Your personal prayer life may have been primarily one-way communication–you talking to God–but we now learn that prayer is much more than that.

” Prayer includes listening.  In fact, what God says in prayer is far more important than what you say. God already knows what you are going to say.  You, however, do not know what God is thinking.

Prayer is a relationship, not just a religious activity.  Its purpose is to adjust you to God, not align God to your thinking.  God doesn’t need your prayers. but He does want you to pray because of what He wants to do in and through your life as you pray.  God speaks to His people by the Holy Spirit through prayer.” (1, pp 107-108)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing each of us the privilege of communicating with you through the gift of prayer.  We don’t take this gift for granted, but use it to stay on-task with you as we constantly receive your guidance for our lives.  Enrich our prayer life, we pray.  In your name. Amen.

 

1. Blackaby, Henry & Richard, King,Claude, Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing The Will of God.  Lifeway Press 1990. Revised 2007.

2. Scripture from: The New International Version Study Bible, Zondervan, 1973.

 

Originally in Homewords News,July 2011