The following Bible Study assignment was taken from our Online Christian Mom Bible Study Group. You can sign up to become a member of the CSAHM Club and gain access to our complete Bible Study on “The Telling Truth.” Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

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“But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Luke 8:15 (NASB)

A lot of times we confuse will power for perseverance. Often we think in order to persevere we need to be strong willed and make sure we push through with all our strength and all our might.

But the truth is will power is not perseverance. When we rely on our own power and strength to get through something we find out real fast that we are not a god. We find failure, exhaustion, and pain around every corner. We often give up and our soul becomes heavy with guilt.

So often as Christians we read the Bible and think that God is telling us to change by sheer will power, but that’s not really the case. We aren’t called to a life filled with guilt because we fail, we are called to a life of commitment to God and His call on our life.

Perseverance isn’t will power. Perseverance is commitment. When we persevere through life we do so out of our commitment to God, and God alone. Through our commitment to Him we will find the strength, energy, and endurance to get through life while living and walking in the spirit.

Assignment:

Walking in the flesh tends to lead us to tighten our fists on the uncertainties of life. How does will power prevent us from walking in the spirit? Who are we relying on when e choose will power over our commitment to God?

Click here for more information on the Online Bible Study Group for Moms!

I remember well those shoe boxes turned mail holders. We decorated them with red and pink papers, making sure our name was clearly labeled on the outside. It was the popular kids who always seemed to get the most cards. I still remember noticing how few were given to the outcasts of the class.

These days, teachers have students bring in cards for each person in the class, ensuring no one is left out. My son’s preschool class is having a party soon. I head to the store and browse the Valentine’s Day aisle. I look at all the cute gifts splattered with hearts. I read the sayings of love stamped onto sour heart candies and lollipops. The selection of cards with favorite television and movie characters on them is abundant, making it hard to choose.

I think about the people who probably have no one to whom they will give or receive a card. For many, holidays like this only remind them of times they have been hurt by love. I wonder how many walk by the card aisle and flinch as old wounds open up fresh. I consider those who have never even had words of love spoken to them, much less received a card.

Love, as defined and lived out in our world, often leaves hearts empty.

The Bible speaks of love differently. Rather than sweet pithy sayings, it speaks meaningful words that burrow deep into the heart. Instead of making promises that can’t be kept, it reveals repeatedly the ways God has fulfilled each of His spoken words. While the world casually throws words of love around with no corresponding actions, Jesus demonstrates His love through His very life and death.

If Jesus were to write a Valentine card, what might it say?

Perhaps something like this:

To the one I love,

You may think that they day I entered your life was that morning in Sunday School, the year you turned ten. Actually, I loved you before time even began.

I lovingly made you by hand. I know you inside and out. I know your deepest fears, deepest wishes, and deepest hurts.

You may think of love as a prince kissing his princess and awakening her from some terrible spell. I think of love as a great rescue and one that involved death–my own.

I created love to begin with. It’s why you were created–to enjoy the love I’ve always had within the Trinity. We have loved and served one another before all time. This giving and serving one another is like a great dance of perfect love. We made you to be a part of that dance.

I came to rescue you from all that has kept you from joining us in the dance of perfect love. The rescue required that I give up everything I always loved–my relationship with the Father. But I loved you that much, I had to do it. I lived among you, humbly serving and showing the way of love. I gave my own life that you might live and join me in the dance of love. This Valentines Day, I want you to know that there is nothing you can do to make me love you, and nothing you can do to make me stop loving you.

I love you, always have and always will,

Your Savior

God actually did write a love letter. In fact, He wrote sixty-six of them. It is these letters of love that every heart needs to read this Valentine’s Day. Perhaps you’ll share a few of the letters He’s written with someone who needs it most?

His love is the only true and perfect way of love.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9,10

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This weeks question:
What is one way you hope to grow in your faith this year?

I have been thinking a lot about my faith lately, and honestly it is something that I feel God is going to work on strengthening this year. But one thing I have realized is that even though I may think I haven’t been trusting God all that much, I think back on the past few years and realize that our family HAS been putting our faith in Him.

It’s not easy at times, and right now is one of those times. But God certainly wants our commitment to Him and His call on our life. So one way I hope my faith will grow this year is for my faith in the all God has on my life to be strengthened. I really want to BE BOLD and move forward with the message that He has placed on my heart. More and more I am realizing it is a message that needs to be heard and I need to stop being afraid and be willing to deliver that message however the Lord wants me to.

For a long time I have hidden behind a wall of protection and it’s difficult for me to not hide behind that wall right now. BUT I have seen so many blessings come from stepping out from behind that wall, blessings like people coming to know HIM more, and honestly that’s all that matters.

So how do you hope your faith will grow this year?

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Editor: Ann Spangler

Published: 2011

My Review:  5 out of 5 stars

Overview

The Names of God Bible is intended to invite the reader to “know God on a deeper level” by studying and using his names and titles throughout Scripture.  Spangler, the author of Praying the Names of God, goes into detail about the meaning and use of each name or title, and the bible is highlighted so that one can study a name as it is used throughout Scripture.

Using God’s Word Translation, The Names of God Bible

restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God – like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay – to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith…

Seeing God’s names – as used by Abraham, Moses, and David – and understanding the meaning of the names and titles used brings excitement to the text.

Name Pages feature information associated with the most important names and titles of God, as well as devotional readings and Bible promises associated with the featured name.

Sidebars reference the relationship between the person in the bible and the specific name they called God.

Reading and exploring God’s Names as they were originally used and intended brings a level of intimacy and understanding that brings the Word of God to life.

My Review

I was so excited to see this Bible advertised, and I jumped on my chance to buy it for my personal use.  Beginning January 1, I’ve been reading this Bible for my new 2012 reading plan – and it has really added a new perspective to my Bible study.

I’ve read the Bible through several times, but this rendering – in easy to understand English – really makes me consider how I pray to God and how I speak to Him.  I’ve given more deliberate thought to the way I address God and how I view Him and His character.

Names like Yahweh and Elohim are profoundly more moving, and to read them in Scripture makes Him more present and tangible.  Understanding what the names mean, and imagining the likes of Noah and Abram answering “Yes” in their walk with God is honestly overwhelming.

If you want to add some richness to your Bible reading, this may well be a version for you.  Looking at Him as more than “God” – that name that is so often used by anyone – and knowing Him personally by one or many of His names is exquisitely beautiful.

[I purchased this Bible for my own personal use.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.]

Disclosure: Some affiliate links have been used within this post.

Sometimes you need to take a hard fall to realize you’ve gone down the wrong path.

Overwhelmed by life, I am tired and irritable. The littlest things with the kids set my teeth on edge. Tears well up and threaten to break through the dam I try so hard to keep standing. Yet it seems that no matter how hard I try, it’s not enough.

It’s been a few weeks since I identified my verse and word to describe my hopes for this new year.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

This verse and the word “quiet” is what my heart needs most this year. I need to rest in the presence of God. I need to be infused with His love and grace and know this grace at a deeper and deeper level. I need to weed out and purge those things which keep me from being still before Him.

I haven’t made it very far.

As I struggle my way through each day, I face many giants. I worry, get anxious and think I can’t make it through the day. I encounter stressful situations and then take it out on my kids. I get caught up in day-to-day life, trying to juggle all that comes my way. I so easily forget that the Lord is with me in these battles. I forget that it’s not in my own strength that I move forward in this journey to Life, but it’s in the strength of Jesus.

In a recent post, I wrote “Making lists, writing resolutions and creating objectives has no power to change us this year. Rather the power to change, no matter what kind of change we are looking for, comes from the grace of Jesus.”

I need that reminder.

As we begin a new year, looking ahead in our journey with Jesus, we can find that life often gets in the way of our intentions to grow and change. We may even take steps backward. But Paul reminds us that we already are new creations, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Instead of focusing on all we need to change in ourselves and how far we have to go, perhaps we should remember what has already been done.

When God looks at me, He sees me as already perfect. He no longer sees me as a sinner separated from Him. Rather, He sees the perfect life of Christ, lived for me.

Maybe what I really need to do this year is to be who I already am.

Every time I fail, every time I stumble into sin, every time I think I can’t go one step further, I must remember who I already am because of Christ. I am a beloved child of the King. I am a new creation. I am completely forgiven. And I am not who I once was.

Jesus has promised that He is making all things new. It is in His strength and through His grace that we are being changed and transformed. While we stand before God as perfect because of Christ’s work for us, we continue to struggle with the sin that still lingers in our hearts. The Lord is refining us and purging us from that sin, day by day and bit by bit, to prepare us for the day when all of creation will be made new and we will see Him face to face.

I forget that this Christian life is a marathon and not a sprint. It’s a long journey and much needs to be done to prepare for the day when I stand before Him.

When we think that nothing is happening and nothing is changing in our lives, Jesus is at work. Even now, Jesus is interceding for us to the Father. Our messed up attempts at prayer are translated by Jesus into words that the Father accepts as perfect. When we can’t even form words to the cries of our heart, the Holy Spirit speaks them for us.

As this year begins, let us not despair when we stumble. He will lift us up. Jesus is always at work in us and continually intercedes for us. Each time we fall, may we return to the Word and be reminded of just who we are–new creations and already perfect in the eyes of God.

So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we’ve left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land! (from Romans 6 in the Message)

I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.” (from Revelation 21 in the Message)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

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This weeks question:
What kind of articles would you like to see more of on CSAHM?

So with the New Year I have decided to add a new column to the CSAHM website, however I want to make sure I add a column that will be an encouragement to YOU so I’m looking for your opinion of what we should add here to CSAHM. I would love to ask my faithful readers to PLEASE fill out this quick anonymous survey. I would be so very thankful if you gave me your feedback and it will certainly help me to ensure that CSAHM remains all about you and serving you, the Christian Stay at Home Mom. Thank you!

You can take the short survey here.

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Grab a free PDF copy of “My Scripture Journal: Fearing the Lord” here!

The desk is the one I bought at an antique shop while traveling in Tennessee. My heart loves old things. I love to imagine who used it and the letters they may have penned to love ones while sitting at the desk. Not long after I purchased it, it fell over in the back of my van. It seemed to have broken at every joint–at every place where one piece of wood joined another. Looking like a jumble of puzzle pieces, I didn’t think it would ever be whole again. That Christmas, my husband and father-in-law spent the day gluing and securing the desk back together, one piece at a time.

I walk by these words each morning after I awaken. I look at the desk and it reminds me that all things broken can be made whole.

Each night before I rest my head on my pillow, I am already forgiven for all that’s happened during the day. When I awaken the next day, God has fresh mercy ready and waiting for me.

New mercies each day–a gift each morning; an opportunity to start again. Like fresh fallen manna to fill the stomach, His mercy drops fresh each day to feed my soul.

By the end of each day, I am weighed down by all that’s gone on. The times I raised my voice, the times I grumbled and complained about my life, and all the times I didn’t love bare down hard on my soul.

What if I lived life in the strength of mercy and grace rather than my own?

What if I rested in the promise that He makes all things new?

Each day is a new day and a new opportunity to live in the grace we’ve been given. When I awaken and recall that all I’ve done the day before is thrown as far as the east is from the west, I begin anew with a heart full of gratitude. As I go about my day, remembering how much I am loved by the Father, it strengthens me to live for Him. Each time I stumble and fall, I remember what Christ did for me and that I am completely forgiven. There’s nothing I can do to make Him stop loving me or stop Him extending rich mercy toward me.

God has mercy and grace in so much abundance to lavish on us that He gives it anew each and every day. His love and forgiveness for us is beyond measure. May this truth fill the hunger of our souls each morning as we awaken and strengthen us throughout whatever the day brings.

Do you take this gift of mercy extended to you each day?

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3: 22-24

“To grasp the old faithfulness of God anew every morning, to be able–in the middle of life–to begin a new life with God daily, that is the gift that God gives with every morning.” Deitrich Bonhoeffer

If you have a child who is old enough to be trusted to use scissors and glue on their own, consider creating a crafting container for them. Leave it out where they can have access to it whenever the desire to create arises. Items to include in the container would include not only the expected glue sticks and scissors but also items from around the house as well. Buttons, paperclips, rubber bands and coins are a great addition to a crafting container. Other items to add: papers of different texture and pattern, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, ribbon, dried beans, different shaped pasta, popsicle sticks, felt, foam and string. Also provide plenty of plain paper and construction paper, markers, crayons and colored pencils.

My son had an interest in castles at one point. One day, he asked me to help him make a fun picture of a castle. We used items from around the house, including pipe cleaners to make a catapult, pennies for windows, and paper clips for the portcullis. Providing a crafting container makes the crafting opportunities endless for your children. Happy crafting!