Good Morning Girls Week 5, 6 & 7

Hello Friends,

My apologies for allowing much time to past since my last post.
I am currently on my last week (8) of GMG and I realized that I have not gave my reflections for the past 3 weeks.

Week 5 we read through Col 2:16-23 & 3:1-6, week 6 Col 3:7-14 and week 7 Col 3:15-25.
The overall theme for me in week 5 was Col 3:1-4. I believe it should be every believers aim, daily to set our minds and affections on heavenly things and not on earthly things. Personally this has really been my aim lately, to be eternal minded. To live according to the Spirit and not my flesh.

Week 6 we were instructed how we ought to clothe ourselves. Take off sin and put on the spirit.
v7-8 in ch 3 explains how we onced lived and how we ought not live any longer. Then we're instructed, as God's chosen ones, to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and above all Love.

Week 7, I would have to say that v 17 struck me harder than the other verses I read that week. It reminded me of how little I do, do everything for the Lord. I'm also reading AW Tozer's The Crucified Life and there is a chapter that speaks on having a secular mind for doing regular task and your spiritual mind...but that even in doing what we call mundane, insignificant tasks we ought to do so for Glory of God. We no longer need to operate in a secular mind but do all things spiritually. Even something as small as brushing your teeth. Do all things for His Glory giving thanks in Christ Jesus.

Lord willing I will be posting my final reflection for this study next week. I've enjoyed going through Colossians so much. It has given me much strength.

Grace & Peace.

Addressed to the suffering believer

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Pet 4:12-13

No one likes to suffer. Our flesh despises it with passion. To suffer is to feel some sort of disadvantage or punishment. It is to feel anguish and discomfort. To suffer is to shame. Yet we are reminded in scripture that all who will reign with Christ will suffer in this life. This is not to confuse the sufferings that are consequences of disobedience, but rather a suffering that comes because of your witness for Christ.

I would presume that a great deal of believers skip over this sobering truth. Not only did our Savior lay down his life, but we too are called to lay ours down. To be a living sacrifice for the glory of God. This means we often must lay down our own personal will that bring us satisfaction in this life and sometimes gain from this world in exchange to do the will of the Father.

It is quite easy for believers in Christ Jesus to welcome and glory in His promises, His love, His Grace and Mercy...you know all the “good” things about our God. But sometimes we neglect the other “good” things about our God. You know the truths that sound dreadful to men, such as our God is a consuming fire. I love that my God is gracious and merciful. I also love that he is the King of kings and He will righteously judge bringing wrath to the sons of disobedience.

In the same it is sometimes easier for us to accept some truths over others, however we must not overlook the truths that are often very sobering.

Our sufferings produce endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope.

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.” Rom 3:14

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God...”Rom 3:18

“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” Heb 2:10

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Rom 5:3-4

“And if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” Rom 8:17

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:” 2 Tim 2:12

“This is the evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering” 2 Thess 1:5

My friend, count your suffering as joy!

Good Morning Girls Week 4

Good Day Mates!

Last week of GMG was a reminder for me of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We read Col 2:6-15.
Paul starts off warning the saints of deception and recalling the truth of Christ.
 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

(Colossians 2:8-15 ESV)

If I had to give this passage a theme it would be, Christ Alone. It's nothing in ourselves that brings about Salvation, only the finish work of Christ. Paul is reminding the saints of this because false teachers/legalist were beginning to creep into the church and set demands on the Christians to keep up with jewish customs. We are actually touching those verses this week.
Paul wanted the saints to be reminded of the Gospel they once received and to hold fast to that alone.

I am utterly amazed and grateful! God in all his majesty saw fit to sacrifice his life so that I may not perish but have everlasting life with him. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not only for the lost, but for the converted as well. We need to be reminded of this unbelievable, matchless, incredible gift that was granted to us. Let us walk in a manner worthy to this calling.


 

Good Morning Girls Week 3

Last week we read through Colossians 1:24-29 and 2:1-5.

I really took note of Paul's passion for completing the mission Christ had given him and that he had for the saints of God.
Paul rejoiced in his sufferings and he struggled with all his energy so that he may present everyone mature in Christ.
To be mature in the faith is what every believer ought to be striving for daily.

That is, to be "...filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." Col  1:9-10

Thing is, not every believer's life will look the same. We will all have different struggles, challenges, accomplishments and journey's. But the life of Christ ought to be evident in us all and that is a love for God and His truth. Bearing spiritual fruit which is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience, faithfulness and self-control. The character of Christ in us is what the world must see, not us and our fleshly passions ruling.

My husband and I are seeking maturation in Christ and this has caused us to seek a new church home. Of course this was not a popular move to make for many don't want to come to the truth about their own lack of maturation and conviction so it can cause a "something is wrong with yall" attitude. Let's just say the feeling has been somewhat mutual on our end but more than anything we have not allowed the opinions of others hinder the move we knew the spirit was leading us to do.
The point I am trying to make is, the desire to mature and to actually grow in Christ is not only unpopular to the world but it is amongst most evangelicals. Many are satisfied with what looks good but aren't really pursing Christ.

Diligence, disipline, sacrifice, suffering, being an outcast...are you willing to endure hardship to grow in Christ?

My spirit says Yes. I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. Phil 3:8-9

Good Morning Girls Week 2

Last week we read through Col 1:15-23. Crunched for time so this will be brief.

Looking over my notes, here are a few points that I would like to share:

• Jesus (God-Man) is the image of the invisible God which is Spirit.
• Jesus is God.
• Jesus is Preeminent! First. Above all things.
• Jesus is very active NOW in his church. He is leading (the Head), conforming by His Spirit, interceding and teaching his true church.
• The Father is fully pleased, satisfied in Christ. It is only in Christ, Jesus that one may be reconciled to the Father.
• Jesus holds ALL power, there is nothing withheld from Him. Again He is God.
• I was once alienated from God, seperated, destined for wrath, but throught Christ death and resurrection I have been reconciled and counted an heir.
• A sign of true reconciliation is continuing in the faith.

2 weeks down, 6 more to go!

What's God's will for you?

For this is the will of God, your sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3
   -J.C. Ryle

What is sanctification? To set apart for sacred use. To make holy; purify.  In Greek, it’s Hagiazo. It pretty much means the same thing in English: to consecrate, dedicate, purify.

This is what the Christians life’s journey is all about, sanctification.
In any and all circumstances we should be mindful and even somewhat tremble as God is doing his work in us.

In the midst of my study this morning, part of James 1:27 came to mind… “to keep oneself unstained from the world.” I pondered on that for a while and then I began to cross reference. Along the way I stumbled upon “For this is the will of God, your sanctification”.

Did I already know this? Yes, but it was different reading it on the page today. It seemed so clear and distinct. So simple.

How often is knowing the will of God complicated? The idea and truth of it has often been twisted and complicated. I know it to be used often for people’s own personal fleshly benefit more so than spiritual. Indeed sanctification comes through life experience and the Lord may use something earthly like marriage or parenthood (which is a benefit so to speak to our flesh) to sanctify us. However when we look for God’s will to be of some worldly gain, we’ve missed it.

Nothing matters more to the Holy Spirit; than that God’s elect is fruitful.

Oh Heavens, Hear my voice
Wash my tainted heart
You are faithful and true
Make me more like You.  

P.S. I have much more to write to you about Jm 1:27, but later. Grace & Peace.

Dear Dispensationalist...

Continue to read the Bible wholly literal and continue to be literally confused.
Um, yea...that's all.

Good Morning Girls Week 1

Little background. Good Morning Girls is an online based study for women. Each season we go through a book in the Bible verses by verse or a few verses at a time daily using the
S cripture.O bservation.A pplication.P rayer system. (Click HERE for more info.) I really enjoy it and we are currently going through the book of Colossians. This week we completed Chapter 1, verses 1-14.

My reflection for the week:

I love the most Paul's prayer for the church of Colossae. Vs 9-12 "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints of light."

Amen Paul, Amen!
We ought not be ignorant children of God, but children of God that are filled with the knowledge of God and understanding His will. Bearing fruit with patience and joy so that we may be fully pleasing to our Father in Heaven. This is my aim! This is my desire.

Our work is never done being a student of God's word and when comes to my study I don't want to be slothful in zeal but fervent in Spirit.

Excited for week 2.

I would be considered a Calvinist...

This would be so because I hold fast to TULIP- Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints. For further understanding and background about Calvinism please go HERE .
This doctrine has heavily helped my understanding concerning grace and soteriology.
The average Christian I would venture to say have not a clue that their belief falls under one of the two theologies, Calvinism or Arminianism. I would also venture to say that if many of us knew more about the history of Christianity, ie. the Reformation, quite possibly maybe more would have an interest in knowing and representing their theological stance. Since the time of the early church, disputing false teachers/ings, demon doctrines, etc. has been a topic of the Christian faith and has been violently defended by true saints of God. Dont get me wrong there are a vast amount of men and women who do care and are aware, but I would have to say there are just as many if not more who do not know.

I believe it to be the believers duty to grow in knowledge and wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to valiantly defend the word of truth.
In order to do so you must have a stance. What's yours?

Allow me to introduce myself...

I sincerely enjoy reading blogs. I like to read some of what people think, I like to see other's creativity, I like to explore the blog-asphere to learn, to be inspired, sometimes just to get a good laugh.
I also enjoy writing. I like typing. I desire to share some of my life's story and be (hopefully) of use to someone else.
So here it is....My name is Nichelle and I'm 28 years old. Wife of 5 years and a momma of 19 months to date.
I am a born again believer. I was "introduced" to Jesus at a young age, faithful church goer but completely void of Spirit...spiritually dead. And not having a clue. It wasn't until a few years ago that now I can say "I'm born again"! Not because of some prayer that I said asking Jesus into my heart, but because the seed of His word quickened me, the Spirit of God made me alive and thus I had a heart to repent and believe. I'd have to say one of the biggest changes in my life now is that my desire is no longer my will but His will and for this, I am forever thankful and will proclaim His goodness. This has birthed my love for theology and my pursuit to rightfully divide the word of truth in complete accuracy.
Home, food and style is what I enjoy...the areas of life that I work my talents.
You'll get to hear and see way more about me and what I'm doing but you'll have to wait until later posts.

NC signing off.