Week 6-Homework Discussion

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalms 84:11

I love this verse. In fact the Lord had already spoken this verse to me this week concerning an issue in my life before I read it in our lesson. First and foremost, I love that it reminds us that God is good! In the midst of the good times and bad, in the big things and the little things, God is good.

As I mentioned this is one my favorite verses, but I tend to focus on the last bit of it reminding us that God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. This week the Lord broadened my scope a bit and allowed me to see the importance of the first half of the verse as well.

To begin, the Lord God is a sun. What does the sun do? It shines light. And this is what the Son of God does for us. He illuminates our path showing us the way in which we should go, just as we see in these verses: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:6) and “The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in the details of their lives” (Psalms 37:23). I am also reminded of the beautiful picture painted in Prov. 4:18 that the path of righteousness is like the first ray of dawn shining brighter until the full light of day.
As Jean points out in Day 4, as we let the truth of the Word of God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit lead and guide us, we will gradually know the path in which we should go. It will be illuminated just enough for us that we will not stumble as we continually seek the Lord’s direction.

We are also reminded that we are to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 4:7). Was I the only one comforted by the disciples’ lack of faith even though Jesus was right there with them in the boat? As Jean points out that is just a reminder that walking by faith does not come naturally. But we learn that it is as simple as trusting in the Word of God and obeying it! In order to do these things though, we must be disciplined to study God’s word. After all, I love the reminder that we cannot take our children any further in the faith than we have already been. Doesn’t that make you want to become a student of the word of God?

Just as studying the word of God will show us God’s path for our lives, it will also help us stay clean, pure in a dirty world. Bible study along with keeping short sin accounts helps us stay clean and usable in the hands of God. For us Christian mommas, this is a full time occupation, and we want to be found faithful in these things!

Psalms 84:11 also tells us that the Lord our God is a shield. What does a shield do? It protects. It’s a defense. We know that God is our protector, our defense. As the Psalmist says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; he is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. He saves me from my enemies” (Ps. 18:2, 3). We know that God is ultimately in control of our lives. Suffering , hurt and heartache are inevitable, but they come to us through the hands of a loving, good God. Those difficult times are also what the Lord uses to refine us, to make us usable in the Master’s hands. This process, known as sanctification, is long and slow, but it will ultimately transform us into the image of Christ. And don’t we all desire that?

In closing, I also wanted to point out these opportunities that Jean gives us for allowing our children to see the reality of Christ in our lives. I love tangible things, and I found these were helpful to keep me focused on ways to teach my children through exhortation and example:

1. Let your children see you study the Word of God.
2. Let your children hear you pray.
3. Talk to them about what God is teaching you.
4. Show them ways that God is at work in your family.
5. Demonstrate asking for forgiveness.
6. Teach them that God is good!

Have a blessed week!

Week 5 Homework....A Little Late

Hello! Sorry that this post has taken a while.  I have to admit I have gotten a bit behind and needed to get it all together. Lauren and I discuessed posting about 2 weeks in one, but I wanted to focus on two things from week five that stood out to me most and not rush into week 6. Day three and four were really important to me because not only do the things Jean wrote about apply to our children but everyone.

"Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver":
How often have I said something and to come across to the listener in a totlly wrong way? The listener mostly being my husband and kids? So many times I have not applied Proverbs 10:19 to my life, "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise."  When I am discipling my kids I tend to want to go on and on about this or that, when in reality I need to breif and to the point as Jean explains. On the flip side of that how often have I gone on and on with my husband to use up too many words and start something I did not mean to start?
As my girls are getting bigger they REALLY want my attention and want me to listen, so not only do my words need to be wise and controlled my ears need to be more open to listening especially before speaking. Proverbs 18:17, says we will be ashamed if we answer before listening. 
One important thing that I want to make sure I do as a mom is to raise my girls to be respectful of others words, to really listen and because of this I hope they will be a good friend, future wife and mom.

"I Want Patience NOW!":
Ok, so I pray for this about a million times a day! Really! As Jean discussed toward the end of this lesson our relationship with Jesus will ultimately change our lives.  If we are having a true communion with Him, He will grant us that patience and peace throughout the day! We need a daily filling of His love and mercy through the Holy Spirit to battle the day.
Colossians 3:12-17 sums up Christians charateristics we must have, honestly I think I'm going to print this out and hang it in my house to read everyday!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I pray this week that my words and yours be apples of gold in setting of silver and that the Lord will dwell in us richly so that the things we say and do be patinet, kind and loving!