Friday 24 February 2017

Repentance


Welcome to Fridays bible study, I pray you will be blessed as we look at what the bible says about repentence, and consider what it means to us as we make decisions every day to chose Gods way over the ways of the world. 
There is a printable link at the bottom of the study if you want to 

STUDY: GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION
PART 3: REPENTANCE

This is the third of a series looking at what the bible says about God’s plan for our salvation.

This study looks at what it means to repent, to turn from going one way and start heading in another, and also why it is essential do so.

BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT FEARS THE LORD AND WALKS IN HIS WAYS

Why change?
The Way
John 14:16

What is Gods' plan?
Isaiah 30:21, Ephesians 2:10

What’s wrong with the path we start on?
Proverbs 14:12

What does God call us to do?
Haggai 1:7, Deuteronomy 30:15, 19-20, Jeremiah 6:16

Can we be indifferent about our choices?
John 7:13, Matthew 6:24

Why does God allow us to choose?
Jeremiah 7:10

What condition is the path that the world walks in?
John 12:46

What’s wrong with this way?
1 John 2:15, Ephesians 5:6

Why is it so important that we make a decision?
Acts 17:30-31, Acts 3:19

How will we learn how to walk on God’s path?
Proverbs 3:5-7, John 8:12

What does God’s path lead to?
Matthew 4:17, John 18:36, John 3:3, 5

How can we resist old patterns learned from walking the world’s way?
Proverbs 1:23, Ezekiel 36:27, Galatians 5:16-17

What is God’s desire?
2 Peter 3:9, Romans 2:4

A Glorious truth
Luke 15:11-32

How will you choose?


Friday 17 February 2017

Simple Faith


Photo taken accompanying my friend on a dog walk, lovely Feb morning in Dorset
I came across this lovely summary of faith, and the great question as to why many resist the offering of Jesus who is God Himself. Some truths you know in your heart and have a grasp of the understanding, and yet it cannot be put into words (well, I  know this to be my experience anyway!) So I thank God for the gifts of expression and teaching that He has given to others. Charles Spurgeon is one such person, who also has the title of 'Prince of Preachers.' It is no wonder......



Real, practical trust in the Living God, easy as it seems to be, is a virtue which was never practised by an unrenewed heart. The glorious atonement made by the incarnate Son of God is worthy of the reliance of all mankind. 
One would have imagined that every sinner would have washed at once in this cleansing fountain, and without hestitation would have believed in the divine Redeemer: but it is not so. Men will not come unto Christ that they may have life. They would rather trust in anything than in the sacrifice of Jesus. 
Until the Holy Ghost works a miracle upon a man, he will not confide in the great sacrifice which God has provided and accepted for the putting away of guilt. Hence it is that this simple, common-place matter of faith, yet becomes the distinguishing mark of the chosen of the Lord. No other token is so infallible:

            'He that believes on Him has everlasting life.'






........which leads nicely onto this weeks bible study!

STUDY: GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION
PART 2: FAITH

This is the second of a series looking at what the bible says about God’s plan for our salvation.

This study considers why faith is God's chosen way for us to believe, receive and follow Him, and how faith itself reveals something of our character. 

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

Why faith?
The promise
Matthew 5:5

What is Gods' plan?
1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Titus 1:2

What is the root problem of pride?
Psalm 10:4, Romans 1:21, John 12:43

How does God see pride?
1 Samuel 16:7, Luke 16:15b

What does God say to the proud heart?
Obadiah 1:3, Psalm 14:1

What is Gods' way for us to overcome pride?
Matthew 18:3, Luke 14:11

What is Gods opportunity for us all?
Acts 17:26-28, Jeremiah 17:10, Psalm 154:18

What is Gods' call and promise?
Isaiah 55:6-9

Why has God chosen for us to need faith in Him?
Isaiah 55:9, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, 1 Corinthians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8

How do we respond by using faith in Christ?
Romans 10:9

What pleases God?
Hebrews 11:6

What can prevent people from knowing God?
1 Corinthians 1:21

What way has God chosen for people to come to faith in Christ?
1 Corinthians 1:21, Romans 10:17, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians:1:18

A Glorious truth
1 Peter 1:18-20, Titus 3:4-7

The call to come to God through faith in Christ and have life everlasting
Isaiah 45:22, John17:3, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Jeremiah 33:3, James 4:7-10

Last words on pride
1 Corinthians 1:27, Jeremiah 9:24

There is a printable personal study version available (PDF), which you are welcome to use for your own use, or as part of a group. I pray you will be blessed.

Watching and waiting
Ruth x



Sunday 12 February 2017

Fanny Crosby


Today I've been thinking about an American lady who I have recently been reading about. She is with the Lord now, in fact it is on this day that she entered into glory, and saw for the first time since being a baby. You see, she was treated for a cold when she six weeks old, and the treatment prescribed that was supposed to reduce the swelling on her eyes, actually left her blind. Here's a little about her story.....

FANNY CROSBY    1820-1915

Teacher, speaker, mission worker, poet and writer of over 8000 hymns, including
  • To God be the Glory
  • Blessed Assurance
  • Praise Him Praise Him
  • All the way my Saviour leads me
Despite the fact that she had become blind at the age of 6 weeks, Fanny lived her life with her 'eyes' on Jesus, seeing with the eyes of faith that beholds the goodness of God. Throughout her life, many would offer her great sympathy to what they considered a great affliction, yet this lady would have none of it.

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

Used from public domain


At the tender age of 8 she was writing with skill and understanding, beautifully expressing a frame of mind that she would hold fast to all her days, boldly refusing self pity


"Oh what a happy soul am I although I cannot see, 
I am resolved that in this world contented I shall be. 
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't. To weep and sigh, because I'm blind? I cannot and I won't."


Fanny excelled in many things and gave her 'talents' to the work of Lord, from memorising huge portions of scripture as a child, to teaching in the Blind Institute New York where she had been a student herself for twelve years. 



Over the years, 8000 hymn lyrics were written by 'The Blind Girl,' often penning up to 7 a day. She kept her lyrics simple to easily convey the message of the Gospel, each with the prayer that they would be used to bring many souls to Jesus. 

In 1858, Fanny married a former student, Alexander Van Astine, and though she earned modestly from her hymn writing, they chose to live in simply and humbly in one of the poorest areas near one of Manhattans slums, giving away all they could to the poor. 

Like her Saviour, she was no respecter of person, and would speak to both congressmen and prostitutes of the gift of salvation available through faith in the risen Lord. She had a passion for bringing words of hope to the alcoholic and the outcasts of society, telling them how she too had been 'rescued,' and that there was room in God's house for all who would believe on Him. 

Whenever asked about her blindness, or when dealt a sympathetic comment, she was quick to reply, 

"If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind...for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour."

Today marks the wondrous day when Fanny Crosby indeed saw the face of her beloved Jesus, the One who had been her guide, hope and inspiration during her 95 years here. 

If you wish to read more about her there are several great  books available.



Written by Eliza Hewitt and read by her at Fanny's funeral 1915

Away to the country of sunshine and song,                          
Our songbird has taken her flight,
And she who has sung in the darkness so long
Now sings in the beautiful light;
The harp-strings here broken are sweetly restrung
To ring in a chorus sublime;
The hymns that on earth she so trustfully sung
Keep tune with eternity’s chime!

What heart can conceive of the rapture she knows
Awakened to glories so bright,
Where radiant splendor unceasingly glows,
Where cometh no shadows of night!
Her ‘life-work is ended,’ and over the tide,
‘Redeemed’ in His presence to stand,
She knows her Redeemer, for her crucified,
‘By the print of the nails in His hand.’

 ‘Blessed Assurance’—the lamp in her soul
That made earthly midnight as naught!
A ‘New Song’ of joy shall unceasingly roll
To Him who her ransom had bought.
To ‘Rescue the Perishing,’ her greatest delight,
What bliss, in the Homeland, to meet
With those she has told of the Lord’s saving might,
Together, to bow at His feet.


Good-bye, dearest Fanny, goodbye for a while,
You walk in the shadows no more;
Around you, the sunbeams of glory will smile;
The Lamb is the Light of that Shore!
Someday we will meet in the City above;
Together, we’ll look on His face;
Safe, ‘Safe in the Arms’ of the Jesus we love;
Together we’ll sing, ‘Saved by Grace!


Friday 10 February 2017

Salvation


These lovely flowers are the first splash of colour in the garden this year, and this is the first bible study of the blog! I shall try and bring a study each Friday simply as a guide for you to search the scriptures and learn from the Lord. This is also available to print in PDF form. There are no web links for the scriptures so you'll need to get your Bible and look for yourself :) 

STUDY: GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION
PART 1: OUR NEED

This is the first of a series looking at what the bible says about God’s plan for our salvation. It is an excellent bible study for people who don't yet know that Jesus is the way to the Father God.

This study looks at our condition in the light of God’s word, and reveals the heart of God and provision to restore our lost relationship with Him as Father, through faith in Jesus Christ.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

The Promise
Matthew 5:8

What is Gods' plan?
Ephesians 1:4, Titus 1:2

Who is pure in heart?
Proverbs 20:6, Proverbs 30:12, Proverbs 21:2

What is our condition?
Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21, 1 John 1:8, Romans 3:23, Proverbs 20:9

What is the consequence?
Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:11-15, Acts 24:15, Romans 14:12

What can we all say?
Psalm 130:3

The Hope
Psalm 130:4, Isaiah 1:18,

What is Gods' provision for us?
Ephesians 1:4, Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 1:7, John 3:16, Revelation 13:8

Who is Gods' provision for us?
John 14:6

A Glorious Truth
Titus 1:11-14, Mark 16:16, John 6:37, John 12:46

Which one are you?
Luke 18:9-14, John 3:17-19

What can you do?
Jeremiah 21:8, Acts 3:19, 1 Timothy 2:3, Acts 4:12, Ezekiel 18:23
James 4:10

Pray
James 4:10, James 4:8, Hebrews 11:6, Psalm 86:5

Be blessed


Thursday 9 February 2017

Beginnings


Well, my very first post........the first of many, God willing. Every journey must start somewhere, always with one step, and then another, and then another.

As with most adventures, we set off with a plan in mind, but cannot anticipate what lies ahead, only The Lord knows that. But for one who's eyes are set on Jesus, though the way will be met with challenges and surprises, trials and victories, the destination remains certain, and the guide ever faithful to lead us and keep us.

I shall endeavor with this humble blog to encourage would be Pilgrims, and fellow Pilgrims alike, through the hope that is in God's word, the Bible, and through the words of those who have now entered into Glory, Hallelujah!

To celebrate this new blog, I have a gift for you to remind you that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, some lovely bookmark/cards with Psalm 23 on it.



Simply open this PDF and print onto card or glossy photo paper (you will have four of these pictures going on your A4 card), not forgetting to change your printer settings accordingly. Once printed, they can be trimmed to size, and even laminated if you have the use of one.

Enjoy!

Watching and waiting,
Ruth