Wednesday, August 28, 2013

{Be Holy because I am Holy}




This week's study is found on page 86.
This is really a week learning all about sanctification.
So much to learn and soak in!  There's more to this study than initially meets the eye. This will bless your life - for reals:)

Key excerpt from study:

God expects us to be holy, to be set apart from the rest of the world. When compared with God’s character of holiness, this seems impossible; however, if we are God’s representatives, it makes sense that He wants us to accurately reflect His character.

The beauty of this aspect of our makeover is when we come to Christ, He immediately sees us as holy through His son. We are His holy people, but becoming holy is also a process of conforming to the image of Jesus. This process is called sanctification. 

It might be helpful at this point to think about the difference between justification and sanctification:

Justification vs Sanctification

legal standing vs internal condition
once for all time vs continuous throughout life
entirely God's work vs we co-operate
perfect in this life vs not perfect in this life


This interview with the legendary John Piper will really help you get to grips with the idea of sanctification:






Key Scripture

Leviticus 19:2

New International Version (NIV)
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

New International Version (NIV)

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again,not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.24 For,
“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[c]
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.




Next.....

I'd highly recommend you spend time thinking on the issue of change as discussed on pages 87 - 88.
Shannon writing here is straight to the truth of the matter and it is equally confronting as it is comforting.  I love that!  {Just download from the link at the tab at the top which says "Current Study"}

Can't wait to catch up with you guys in person and thrash this out.  I've found this to be a really amazing week of study.  Hope this blesses you too.

Much love,
Meredy xo

p.s. SOOOOOO glad we've decided to take a week to do each study! 





Saturday, August 24, 2013

why a study on identity is so important

This week I had one of the saddest conversations I've ever had.  I sat with a close friend whom I have always regarded as a faithful, Godly man and whom I love like a brother.  His faith has sustained him through some incredible life battles.  With resolute determination he has walked through all these battles with God and his faithfulness has always been an inspiration.  Now, at a time in his life when things are going unbelievably well and full of promise, he has decided that the faith of his past will not be the faith of his future.  In fact, he has stated that he is very doubtful that he has faith of any description, other than in a vague, spiritual "higher being", yet to be determined.


{Psst...you might want to grab one of these before you go any further}

He is angry and resentful and feels like he has been lied to and manipulated for his entire life.  When I asked what had triggered this extraordinary about face, he said, with grace, that he simply didn't know.  Almost as if a mustard seed of doubt built to an astonishing conclusion of complete disbelief.  After gently, gently pushing for more specific areas of doubt he said that the traditions and doctrines of his denomination just seemed absolute rubbish.  Fear-mongering and confusing.  My heart absolutely went out to him.  I completely understood.  I've been there.  It's why religion so often fails.

The absolute tragedy about this situation is that if my friend had been taught to really love and meditate on the Word throughout his life and therefore learn who God really is without all the man-made scaffolding and detritus, this crisis of faith may well have been avoidable.   In truth, what he's facing is a crisis of confidence in religion, not a crisis of faith in Christ.  Problem is, if religion is all you know, you can't tell the difference.

Even in the more progressive style of  church worship, too often  a skewed interpretation of the Gospel is offered.  Bible cherry-picking for 21st century wants, not eternal needs.  A little misinterpretation the Word here, a re-imagining or dumbing-down of God there, perhaps a little sidelining of Jesus with a touch of re-calibration of the Lord's Sovereignty and the God-breathed truth of the the Bible.  Pharisees anyone?  Doesn't the enemy love that.....

{Um, yeah.... sorry.  The topic's getting a bit heavy - thought we needed some comfort food in the order of Mac 'n' Cheese}

Having said that, we are purposed to be part of the body of the church, we are purposed to gather together and fellowship and encourage and put on our lippy & favourite accessories on a Sunday.  We are to be a blessing to one another. We just need to be really discerning regarding where we're getting our teaching from and always, always be reading the Word and praying for discernment and wisdom.

The church of my youth had a fantastic Minister who was an ex-Barrister.  As such, he was a stickler for proof, reason and fact-checking.   He used to say to us after a sermon "Don't take my word for it!  I think what I've told you is correct to the best of my ability.  However, you should always, always compare what someone says to what the Bible says. I am just a man and well capable of making a mistake".   What a humble servant.  This was such a gift.  It gave us permission to listen to a sermon, respect our minister, but not elevate him to literally "God-like" status.    In doing so he trained us to use our whole selves when attending church.  Our heads, hearts, our prayer life.  I remember him also asking us to invite the Holy Spirit to read the bible with us, to help us discern God's truth and what He so earnestly wanted us to learn.

This brings us neatly to this week's bible study High Up and Set Apart.   We've been looking at the importance of God being "Holy".  Not just a really lovely, caring Father.  Holy.

I can't emphasise how important the first page of this week of our study was.  Here it is again in case you've missed it: {emphasis my own}

Our translated word “holy” in Hebrew is “qodesh” and the Greek is “hagios.” Both of these words mean “to be set apart.” When we say God is holy, we mean that He is separate, He is not like us at all, He is completely different. He is not just more loving, He is completely loving.   He is not just more righteous, He is completely righteous. God is infinitely more forgiving, pure, sovereign, powerful, awesome, and merciful than we could ever imagine. 

We need to fully comprehend the separateness of God in order to view Him correctly
Often times we may think of beings in the context of a ladder, with the smallest, least complicated living thing at the bottom, like an amoeba. Then as we move up the ladder we see more sophisticated creatures such as insects, then reptiles, animals and finally humans near the top. If we continue, we would guess angels come next and then, of course, God at the very top. 

We were correct until we reached the top. God is so holy that He cannot even be measured on the same scale. He exists in an entirely different dimension; He dwells in eternity. Unlike everything else, He is not a created being. He is so separate from us that any attempt at comparison is foolish. 

Pulling God Down 

We have a tendency to narrow our view of God. We bring Him down by underestimating His sovereignty and His ability to affect our situations. Our problems seem bigger than our God and we doubt His power to change our lives. We put Him in a box and allow Him out only on Sundays. In essence, we shrink Him down to fit our limited understanding. We are guilty of this when we don’t bother to pray about situations or people we assume will never change. 

Unknowingly we conclude the situation is far too difficult, or the person is much too corrupt, for God to affect. In failing to believe in His holiness, power and ability, we miss its release in our lives. When God remains where He should be, highly exalted above all the earth, everything and everyone is put into their rightful places.


That's why I love this study.

Before we can even fully understand who we are in Christ, we need to first learn, meditate, absorb, breathe in through our hearts, minds and souls who He is and what it means when the Bible says He is Holy.  Then go back and do it all again.  Especially,  when the fallen world comes knocking on the door to blow your house down.




My prayer for my friend this week and for you {and me} is that we can discipline our hearts and minds to fully comprehend who God is, why he is Holy and how that changes the way our lives should be lead.  Let's do it with reason, faith, fact-checking, grace,our bible and of course a really great cuppa.

Much love,
Meredy xo


This coming week.....
Be Holy, Because I am Holy 
{set apart from the rest of the world}
Page 86 under "Current Study" tab at top of page


Sunday, August 18, 2013

From Sinner to Set Apart {High & Lifted Up}

Ok.  Let's get this new adventure of ours rolling....


This is the scripture focus for the month:



This week's study can be found on Page 83 of your workbook.



 God is holy. 

 We all know this...but can you describe it? 

What is it about God that makes Him holy?


Here's a song to inspire your study.  This is Gabbie's all time favourite song {this month}.

 I highly recommend you watch it and take in the words....and maybe have a little hands in the air like you just don't care moment:)




See you at the study with a coffee, bible and some Spirit-filled grace!

Meredy xo


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

How to pray {with a little help from Martin Luther}



Have you ever tried to start an exercise programme after a long break from physical activity of any kind?

It's usually January of any given year for me.  I start by throwing off the layer of Lindt ball wrappers that over Christmas can be found surrounding me at any given moment.  This is followed with a determined waddle into Target whereby I purchase a new pair of runners, an ill-advised lycra outfit and an exercise DVD that is "guaranteed" to tighten, shred & pummel me into shape.

 That first session is a killer.  I'm left red-faced, sweating, nauseous and generally demoralised with the words "YEAH, GET SOME!!" ringing in my ears.  A stranger in a strange land.  It is unfamiliar, uncomfortable and awkward.  Why is something that looks so straight forward, and something that so many others seem to do so effortlessly {and with apparent enjoyment!} so hard for me?


This is how getting your prayer life on track can feel.  Especially if it's been a while.  You can get a burst of motivation {or guilt} and determine to get your prayer life more disciplined.  You vow to make regular, consistent time.  Purchase a popular devotional which is guaranteed to totally change your life.  Perhaps you'll even lash out on a cute notebook in which you will start a prayer journal.  {When I say "you" of course, I totally mean "me"}.  Then, just like the exercise DVD's and lycra, after an initial burst of activity they get used a little less often, with a little less passion and before you know it, you're back to a lukewarm prayer life.

Maybe you've prayed fairly regularly in the past and felt you were in "the zone" and for no particular reason you feel you've dropped back a little.  Perhaps you're nursing a hurt that is making God feel a long way away.  Maybe you're just too darned tired by the end of the day to talk to anyone in full sentences.



Here's some encouragement.....

Read any theologians and they will all eventually address, somewhere in their writings, their struggle with prayer.   I guess if it's good enough for C.S. Lewis & Martin Luther, it's only realistic to expect that we too will experience a few hiccoughs in our prayer life.


{this landscape reminded me of times of spiritual challenge - full of God's hope like the sun rising on the horizon on a new day, but the immediate landscape, vast and barren directly in front of me}


Conveniently for us, Martin Luther's barber was struggling in his prayer life {hairdressers just give on so many levels don't they?} and wrote to him asking how to pray effectively.  Martin Luther responded with a 40 page letter.  Yikes.  The last two pages of which contain his famous four step meditation and prayer process.

Luther advised meditation on the scriptures before starting to pray.  If, for example, he was meditating on the Ten Commandments,  he writes "I divided each commandment into four parts, as I form a garland of four strands."

That is, he thought of each commandment as:

1. Instruction - what is the Lord God commanding of me so earnestly?
2. Thanksgiving - how am I thankful for this instruction in my life?
3. Confession - where have I failed to meet His expectations?
4. Petition - to keep faithful to His commandments and protect me from temptation.

Martin Luther put it this way:
  1. He firsts states his instruction; “here I consider that God expects and teaches me to trust him sincerely in all things and that it is his most earnest purpose to be my God.”
  2. He then turns the commandment into a thanksgiving; “I give thanks for his infinite compassion by which he has come to me in such a fatherly way and unasked, unbidden, and unmerited, has offered to be my God, to care for me, and to be my comfort, guardian, help and strength in every time of need.”
  3. Luther, then confesses his sins regarding this area; “ I confess and acknowledge my great sin and ingratitude for having so shamefully despised such sublime teachings and such a precious gift throughout my whole life, and for having fearfully provoked his wrath by countless acts of idolatry.”
  4. Finally he petitions to God; “preserve my heart so that I shall never become forgetful and ungrateful, that I may never seek after other gods or other consolation on earth or in any creature, but cling truly and solely to you, my only God.”

This outline also dovetails AMAZINGLY with what the very first Psalm asks of us.

We can fill our days with so many activities, striving to provide loving service and opportunity to our family, friends and the community.  As we should.  However, it's refreshing and encouraging to note what this Psalm says about being a Godly man or woman:


Psalm 1: 1-3:

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither
    whatever they do prospers.





So encouraging! It doesn't say that to be a Godly man or woman you have to fill your life with good deeds or evangelise each and every person you meet, leading them to the Lord before lunchtime.  It encourages us that a Godly man or woman takes "delight" in His law and meditates on it.  

If we do this, we will yield fruit in season {note the use of the word season - to everything a season - yay!} and we will not wither.  The streams of life-giving water which flow from the word will refresh us, invigorate us and protect us so we can prosper in all our endeavours which God has set before us.  


Application....

For me at least, I think, this means that reaching for the bible, before I reach for any fancy devotionals or notepads should be my first stop.  Of course, I can still pray if my bible isn't handy.  However, if I'm really struggling to focus or feeling lonely in prayer, the bible and the Holy Spirit are there for my comfort and guidance.  This also guarantees to keep my heart and soul on what God's plans for me are, rather than my own usually flawed interpretation.

I can't help but think what would happen if my children understood the importance of my meditating on the word and how they will ultimately benefit from my new found patience, strength and generally virtuous mothering.  Imagine them forcing me to sit in the most comfortable chair, with a blanket, a notebook, the bible and supplying me an endless supply of cups of tea!  Bring it on!


Here are some handy links for our prayer life:


{It's true.  There is indeed an app for everything}





Here's the link {click}

One to help you keep a record of your blessings:


Here's the link {click}

If you need to tap into different versions of scripture biblegateway.com can't be beaten.
If it's been a long night and an early morning with the demands of children, I find that I really need "The Message" version.  I can't be dealing with thee's and thouest's on five hours sleep.

Much love,
Meredy xo

p.s.  if you have any questions, don't be afraid to drop me a line in the comments section.