How to Turn Your Devastation Into A Healthy Regeneration

When we meet with discouragement, what do we do with it?  

There are situations in your marriage that will require you to make a choice right away. Your spouse might have done something that deeply hurt or offended you, and now you are faced with a dilemma: respond in a Christ centered way, or the world's way, which inevitably leads to remorse. As Oswald Chambers says, "Life serves back in the coin you pay..."

Do not confer with “flesh and blood”, rather go to your Heavenly Father and spill out your heart before Him. A popular Christian author and speaker says this: “Go to the Throne, instead of the phone.”

Living in an unequally-yoked marriage is stressful enough. You don't need to increase your level of anxiety by creating problems where they don't exist. You might be harboring resentment towards God for something you think He should have done in your marriage or family.  Maybe you're upset because you were sure you heard from God, and now you doubt yourself and His plans for your life. 

You are at a crossroads.  Every decision leads you somewhere.  Your devastation can be turned into a healthy regeneration.

A short Bible study will set the scene for us:  

In II Samuel 12, King David was confronted by the prophet Nathan over his sin. This included lusting after and taking another man's wife, purposing to frame him for the pregnancy, and eventually plotting to kill him to cover his own sin.  David was oblivious to the fact that it was him that the prophet was speaking of in the story he was telling the King.  God directed Nathan to tell David, "You are the man!"  After declaring to David that God had indeed blessed him, and would have done even more to exalt him in the eyes of Israel, Nathan proceeded to deliver an admonishment to the King from God, and pronounce a prophesy of doom on him and his household for the evil he had done.  

David was at a standstill and a choice had to be made.  

He admitted the secret sins and wailed, "I have sinned against the LORD."   At that moment, Nathan said to him, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.  However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."  It was a horrendous penalty to pay for his sins, and it involved an innocent victim.  King David chose rightly because he admitted his sin and accepted the consequences. He knew who God was and His righteous character.

David wrote many of the stirring Psalms that we so dearly embrace and recite in times of despair.  He used the time of restoration after his fall from grace to extol the virtues and mercies of God for all to reflect upon.  He spent countless nights praising his LORD and giving thanks for the mighty hand that guided him into truth and grace, as he sought to live out his days as a "man after God's own heart."   David pleaded with God to punish him, but not the child.  However, God's Word stood and David accepted the consequence.  He showed a level of maturity that we need to embrace.   

When you are distressed and in deep despair, get alone with God and His Word.  Do some true soul-searching.  Bring all of your hurts and disappointments to Him.

God will regenerate your thinking to line up with His thoughts, and align your will with His.  Instead of letting disappointment overtake him, David ultimately accepted the circumstances and praised God for them. 

What took place next is amazing.  Verse 20 tells us that, "David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped."  

David arose in the newness of God's grace, and came forth from the grave of self-pity and defeat.  He was regenerated by God's promises and truths from His Word.  Isaiah 61:3 declares the LORD will, "console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..."   Psalm 30:5 states, "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."  David saw the dawn of a new day in God's sovereignty.

When we have come face to face with a crisis that tears at the very core of your being, that is when we must go to God and lean on His mercies.  

Gain renewed strength from Who He Is.  Rest assured that His grace will be sufficient and His power adequate to sustain you in your weakness (II Corinthians 12: 9-10).

Regenerate your spiritual life by renewing your mind and reinvigorating your faith walk. God will meet you at your weakest point to bring you to His best for your life...

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with

others.

How to Turn Your Devastation Into A Healthy Regeneration

Mary and Martha - Summer Rerun with a boost!

Summertime brings with it a more relaxed attitude and atmosphere. Unfortunately - it can also summons a spiritually lax demeanor.

How can you infuse your quiet time and Bible study with a fresh spiritual jolt? One way I can think of is to re-familiarize yourself with two very well known sisters: Mary and Martha. 

Two very different women who adored and reverenced the Lord Jesus are the center of our study. Here is some general background information regarding these famous siblings.

Six days prior to the Passover Jesus visited a family to which He had an endearing fondness. As He made his way to Jerusalem He was keenly aware of the fact that He would most likely not see them again.  His trek to their home was a welcomed diversion from the constant travel, and a reminder of the close familial ties that drew Him back.

Jesus and His disciples had been in the remote city of Ephraim, near the wilderness area surrounding the nearby countryside. They made their way to Bethany, home of Lazarus – the one whom Jesus raised from the dead.  Sisters Mary and Martha were always a familiar and comforting sight to our Lord as evidenced by His joyful arrival.

For an in-depth look at these famous sisters you can read my two previous blog posts here:    A Tale of Two Sisters Part 1  and  A Tale of Two Sisters Part 2  They will give you a greater insight into their relationship with Jesus and their unique personalities.  

We all exhibit glimpses of the two natures of Mary and Martha. Our Lord Jesus identified the more excellent part for which we should seek after. My reason for reintroducing these two blog posts is to stir our hearts and minds as to why the Lord commended Mary and affectionately chastised Martha.  Let this not be an occasion to malign or criticize Martha – but rather let us examine our own motives and reasons for why we either come to her defense or rally around Jesus' gentle rebuke.

In my book Mission Possible  -  Chapter 5 - Timing is Everything!  -  I feature an application from John 11. Martha had a powerful dialog with Jesus about her brother's death that left her wrestling with His Deity and His powerful declaration regarding death and the resurrection.

I have personally gone through "dry periods" - times when I had a desire to be more like Mary, and yet fell so short of my own expectations. 

When satan whispers my failures in my ear, I generally respond with a stern dismissal and press into God all the more. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Rededicate yourself to the things of God and let each day bring fresh possibilities. New mercies abound freely, but condemnation is straight from the enemy of your soul.

Purpose to reconnect with God in a powerful, new way. Embrace your "Mary" and appreciate your "Martha" - for in both you are a well balanced and productive disciple and Christ follower.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Mary and Martha - Summer Rerun with a boost!

Exercise Profits Nothing – At Least Not The Way You Think…

123RF Stock Photo

There’s just no way to avoid it.  It blares loudly on the TV, broadcasts over the radio, and pops up repeatedly on the internet.  

Everywhere you turn there are gadgets to help you get fit and trim, companies trying to sell you another exercise or diet plan, and various programs extolling the virtues of the latest workout routine.

I was listening to a pastor’s message on the Christian radio station in my area, and heard a familiar verse that some have used in a humorous way. But as I listened to his sermon, I began to hear and understand it in a whole new light.

I Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

Another translation puts it this way:  "...physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things ..."

A brisk walk lowers blood pressure, lessens your cholesterol, and reduces stress on the body. Engaging in some form of regular physical exercise will generally add years to your lifespan. Exercise helps to reduce harmful chemicals in our bodies, and provides a form of abreaction (letting off steam), helps to build up stamina, counteracts the biochemical effects of stress, and reduces the risk of psychological illness.

As Christians, we house the Holy Spirit, and our temple needs to be strong and fit.  Health and fitness are godly goals when they are balanced with common sense and right priority. 

In biblical times, physical exercise was not touted as necessary because people living in that time period generally walked everywhere and performed manual labor on a routine basis. Their diet consisted primarily of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, sheep & goat dairy products and fish.

However, exercise can become a means to an end that can mimic idol worship if it is not properly monitored.

Verse 7 prefaces the previous passage in I Timothy 4 with the following, “…and exercise yourself rather to godliness.”

Spiritually speaking, when we exercise godliness through prayer, bible study, and self-control, we keep our spiritual man healthy. But what good is it if we take care of the physical body, but neglect our spiritual man and coddle our sinful nature?

The eternal value mentioned in verse 8 is the promise of the life that is to come. Paul makes it clear that whatever we are doing for the here and now is indeed profitable – even commendable, but that which is to come, is of greater value and lasting. Taking care of the spirit man, which is incorruptible and lives forever, is far more important than maintaining a corruptible body that will slowly decay in this world.

Matthew Henry explains the passage this way in his Commentary:  “Those who would be godly must exercise themselves unto godliness; it requires a constant exercise…The encouragement which we have to proceed in the ways of godliness is evident. Will the profit balance the loss? Here is another of Paul’s faithful sayings, worthy of all acceptation – that all our labours and losses in the service of God will be abundantly recompenced, so that though we lose for Christ we shall not lose by him."

Exercise is not my god, nor do I place my fate in its hands.  Sure, I still go to body-pump and cycle classes at the local YMCA. I faithfully walk my two dogs every morning for almost an hour. I make it a point to stay active, eat right, and get a good night’s sleep. But for me, keeping my Spirit woman healthy and fit is a higher, God-ordained priority.

What has God spoken to you about your spiritual workout lately?  Do you need a "mini boot camp" to whip yourself into shape - or would a long-term maintenance plan be the best thing for your spiritual well being?

Share with me your successes or failures as we strive to stay in top spiritual shape...

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

If you have been encouraged by this post - please take time to share it with others.

Exercise Profits Nothing – At Least Not The Way You Think…

The Magnificat - God Had A Plan All Along

My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.  For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.  For He who is mighty has done great things for me.  And holy is His name.  And His mercy is on those who fear Him.  From generation to generation.  He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.  He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,  As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.

     The Magnificat  (Luke 1:46-55  NKJ)


Two women connected through deep family roots.  One old and unable to conceive.  The other a young virgin.

Yet, just prior to the utterance of one of the most famous songs ever sung, these two devout Jewish soon-to-be mothers had a common bond that went beyond their physical condition.

Elizabeth was most likely Mary's cousin and her name means "God is my oath." She was born of the lineage of Aaron, and was the wife of Zacharias, who was a priest of the division of Abijah - an order appointed by King David for temple service (I Chronicles 24:10).

Mary was descended from the house of David.  She was told that her Son would receive "the throne of his father David," and also because Christ is described as being of "the seed of David according to the flesh" (Acts 2:30 ; Romans 1:3).

When Mary visited her kinswoman Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea both women were excited to see each other.  Mary had been told of Elizabeth's advanced stage of pregnancy by the angel Gabriel, and no doubt Elizabeth had heard of her close relative's betrothal to Joseph and their baby's impending birth.

However, it was when Mary greeted her that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the revelation of the Christ child was made known. The fact that the baby within her - the forerunner to the Messiah - leaped for joy inside his mother's womb is indicative of the Lord's plan and how perfect it is.

Elizabeth and Zacharias were faithful, righteous and devoted to God. Zacharias served in the temple according to custom.  While the whole assembly of the people were praying outside, he was in the sanctuary of the Lord burning the incense.  An angel of the Lord appeared to him - standing to the right side of the altar of incense.  Zacharias was startled and overcome with fear, but the angel [Gabriel] said to him:

"Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother's womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of father to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people."

This news foretold the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3-5 - "the voice of one crying in the wilderness".  After the birth of their beloved son John [the Baptist], Zacharias would prophesy, "...And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins..."  

Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel in Nazareth in the sixth month of her cousin's pregnancy.  He said to her, "Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you... Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

After it was explained to her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the holy One born to her would be called the Son of God, Gabriel reassured her saying, "And consider your relative Elizabeth - even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. For nothing will be impossible with God."

It is that last part of Gabriel's announcement that I personally love the most... Nothing is impossible with God.  Both women received their miracles. Jesus Himself reiterates His promise to us - "With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).


One woman's promise fulfilled was another woman's fulfilled promise. 

A dead womb became the life giving incubator for the world's most infamous preacher, who willingly "decreased" that the Savior of the world might "increase" and take upon His shoulders the sin of all mankind.

And a young woman willingly submitted to her Lord, fulfilling prophesy and being the first face He beheld as He opened His eyes for the first time on earth in human form.

God had a plan all along...

Enjoy the performance of this Christmas classic by Josh Groban

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 
Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

The Magnificat - God Had A Plan All Along

Fruitful or Barren - What Will Your Spouse See?

     I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

     Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

     I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is – when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.             (John 15:1-8  MSG)

When you are living in a spiritually uneven marriage, your husband becomes a fruit inspector, even if he doesn't totally grasp the concept from a Christian standpoint.

He looks for evidences of your conversion.  He sees your reactions to everyday struggles.  He watches to see if you'll acknowledge him for something he's done for you.  Do you have fruit for him to appreciate, much less notice?

Jesus told us we would bear good fruit when we abide in Him.  That means we are to stay in an intimate relationship with Him which entails Bible study, praying, and following His commandments.  Fruit bearing is a result of living in total surrender to Him. 

The following is an excerpt from an article in the magazine In Touch by Dr. Charles F. Stanley:

The wisest decision you can make is to set your heart, mind, and will on doing whatever is necessary to grow up in Christ.  Then whenever the Lord gives you a specific responsibility of any kind, you will be prepared and equipped to fulfill your calling.  Here are some spiritual markers of a believer.

The Fruit of Spiritual Maturing

Spirit-controlled character  (Gal. 5:22-25)

Stability of sound doctrine  (I Tim. 4:6)

Passion for Christ and His calling  (Phil. 3:7-14)

Increasing love for one another  (I Thess. 3:12-13)

Ability to gently exhort others  (II Tim. 2:24-26)

Discernment  (Heb. 5:14)

Godly wisdom  (James 3:13-18)

Increasing holiness in behavior  (I Peter 1:13-16)

In the New Testament Jesus used the fig tree to illustrate spiritual hypocrisy in the religious community of His day.  Here is one such passage:

Now in the morning, as He [Jesus] returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” And immediately, the fig tree withered away.  (Matthew 21:18-19)

Jesus cursed the tree because it should have had some fruit on it naturally – simply as a function of its fruit-bearing nature and tendency to blossom nearly year-round.  He correlated the tree’s lack of fruit to the nation of Israel’s spiritual deficit and moral corruption.  The Jewish people had forsaken God and rejected Him time and time again.  The religious leaders made a mockery of the original intent of the Law and had burdened men with hundreds of man-made rules and regulations.

Fig trees in Jesus’ day were abundant and as common as an oak or maple in your front yard today. Everyone had a fig tree and they dotted the landscape in the hillsides surrounding Jerusalem.  In the Old Testament it often represented prosperity.  In I Kings 4:25 we read that “every man was sitting under his own fig tree.”  The fig tree makes a good shade tree, often growing up to 20 feet or more. (John 1:43-50) 

Many times fig trees were planted alongside the grapevines and flourished in the well-maintained vineyards.  Fruit often appears before the leaves which don’t appear until right before summer.  Two crops of fruit appear: one in the spring which is eaten fresh, and the other in fall which is often dried during the winter. 

The first time a fruit tree is mentioned and named in Scripture is in Genesis. Fig leaves were sewed together and used to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:7) The fig leaves are roughly the size of a human hand and are hairy on the back side.

 So, let’s talk about OUR fruit (or lack thereof).  How do we assure a year-round crop of eye-pleasing, mouth-watering fruit?  How do we stay connected to the Vine and grow as a follower of Christ?

We go back to our passage in John 15:1-8.  We abide.  We make Jesus the hub of our lives.  As the Apostle Paul says in Acts 17:28, “for in Him we live and move and have our being…”  What should our fruit look like?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  (Galatians 5:22-23)

I just happen to know a really great Gardener, and His fruit is always ripe.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Fruitful or Barren - What Will Your Spouse See?

Celebrate Mothers From Ancient Times to Today

Mother's Day is a holiday with an interesting history.

Mother's Day began nearly 150 years ago in the United States, when Anna Jarvis, a homemaker from Appalachia, organized a day (Mother's Work Day) to raise awareness of something mothers hold near and dear to them:  poor health conditions in her community.

Fifteen years later, Julia Ward Howe organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else. Julia was a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic,

When Anna Jarvis died in 1905, her daughter, also named Anna, began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Legend has it that young Anna remembered a Sunday school lesson that her mother gave in which she said, "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers."

Anna began to lobby politicians including Presidents Taft and Roosevelt to support her campaign to create a special day to honor mothers.  In 1913 the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for officials of the federal government to wear white carnations on Mother's Day.  In 1914 Anna's hard work paid off when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday.

Mother's Day was first observed by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually by sending cards, presents, and flowers. With the increasing gift-giving activity associated with Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis became enraged. She believed greed and profit was overtaking the original intent of the holiday. Before her death in 1948, Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother's day tradition.

However, the holiday of Mother's Day has flourished in the United States. The second Sunday of May has become the most popular day of the year to celebrate and show appreciation to their mothers. Telephone calls, cards, and flowers break all records for Mother's Day.

 A Biblical Portrait of Motherhood:

In Exodus 2 we are introduced to Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, born to him in Egypt.  She was the wife of Amram and was the mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses.  Her courage and ingenuity saved her son Moses from the wicked mandate of Pharaoh to kill every male Israelite child.  She cleverly hid him for three months, before placing him among the reeds in a water-tight basket along the Nile River.

As she watched Miriam approach Pharaoh’s daughter, she must have been relieved to hear that she would be nursing and weaning the child herself before handing him over permanently.  Those few early years were no doubt full of Godly teaching and a loving example to that little Hebrew child.  Can you imagine the pain and sacrifice she endured as she watched her young son disappear into Pharaoh’s exotic palace to be raised as an Egyptian?

I believe Jochebed was an important part of Moses’ life as a young child and into the reaches of adulthood.  She no doubt had an influence on his character, integrity and love for the Lord God of Israel.  She also raised Miriam (the eldest) and their brother Aaron, who appeared with Moses in front of the great Pharaoh of Egypt prior to releasing the children of Israel.  Were her children perfect?  No way.  They all displayed major character flaws.  All were reprimanded and punished by God for their disobedience.  However, all three witnessed God’s Sovereign power, deliverance and blessing in their lives and in their future destinies.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  We must teach by example and pray for their spiritual growth.  We are to “watch over the ways of our household, and not remain idle” – but stay balanced as we lead our children into adulthood one step at a time.  May we look to our Heavenly Father for His guidance and strength.

Famous Quotes:

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
-Abraham Lincoln 

 "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." 

-George Washington 

 "The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
-Author Unknown 

Do you have a special event or family tradition that you observe on 

Mother's Day?  Share with me your memories or plans 

for this special holiday...

 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Celebrate Mothers From Ancient Times to Today

Guest Author Elizabeth Marks ~ "Discover the Riches of His Grace"

Please welcome Guest Author Elizabeth Marks and her book:   Discover the Riches of His Grace - Learning to Do Relationships God's Way

This devotional inductive Bible study is based on the Book of Ephesians. It includes 18 lessons, 6 devotions, and 6 changes to connect online to share what you've learned through the study with others. 

The primary audience is women who long to draw closer to God and improve their relationships. Secondary audience is individuals and small group leaders who want to dig deeper into the Bible and learn new study methods. 

What's inside:

Discover a fresh perspective on all God has done for you.  Learn of His great love for you, which is strong enough to change you and your relationships forever. Discover how inductive Bible study method helps you unlock the Bible and make it understandable. Learn how to create own observation worksheet for better interaction with God’s words. Build your confidence in correctly interpreting God’s words through use of Bible concordance and word studies. Learn what spiritual blessings are already yours. Identify five healthy life patterns leading to satisfaction in Christ Jesus. Discover strength in God like no other. Understand the importance of sacrifice and submission in relationships. Learn who your real enemies are and how to combat their negative effects in your life. Record your discoveries in our Truth Tracker to help you remember what you learned. Connect with author and others online to share what you discovered through the study.

About the Author:

Elizabeth, author of ThinkOnIt  Devotions, was born and raised in Southern California. After being married for 10 years with a five year old son, she and her husband were on the brink of divorce in late 1999. During that dark time, she and her husband came to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through Saddleback Church’s Celebrate Recovery program. Now filled with God’s love, their hearts are renewed, their marriage restored and they were blessed with a second son in 2004! Elizabeth and Steve celebrated 23 years of marriage as of 2011. Grateful for God’s second chance, Elizabeth has a heart for encouraging and equipping people with God’s word.   Need some hope?  Visit http://www.ThinkOnIt.org today for Bible devotions, Bible studies, small group leader tips, and more.

Elizabeth’s favorite two verses are Philippians 3:9 NLT “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith” and Galatians 2:20 NLT “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

How did you get started writing?

In 2006 God started talking to me through my devotional time with Him. As I meditated on Scripture, a certain theme, point, or truth would stand out and resonate with me. I wouldn’t know fully what it meant unless I journal it out in handwriting. These journal entries turned into devotions I shared with my women’s small group to encourage them. Sometimes these devotions make it back to me and actually end up encouraging me! Isn’t funny how God uses things to get our attention?

Why did you write this Bible Study?

I took a class on bringing the Bible to life and was excited about the inductive study method. It unlocked Scripture for me. I wanted to share it with it with my workplace small group.  The women from my small group enjoyed the study tools I taught and encouraged me to share it with others.

Why did you pick Ephesians as the first book to try the inductive study method?

Ephesians is a wonderful book filled with the awesomeness of God and His blessings towards us. It is packed with valuable relational lessons that will not only draw us closer to God but with the added benefit of improving our earthly relationships too!

Is this study part of a series of studies?

Actually, yes it is. This is the first of a new line of Bible studies branded Your Discovery Series. There are several studies (James, Colossians, Haggai, Joshua, Obediah) in the works to follow this one

Is there any significance behind the name Your Discovery Series?

Yes. I feel strongly God’s words are for everyone. The Bible is not too hard for anyone. No one should be dependent on someone else to tell them what the Bible says. Your Discovery Series is designed to get you into the Bible like never before. The intent is create a hunger or craving for more of the Bible.  

How would someone connect/follow you?

Sign up for our newsletter at http://www.ThinkOnItBibleMinistries.Org

Like us at http://www.facebook.com/ThinkOnItBible

Follow us on http://www.Twitter.com/ThinkOnItDevos

Like us at http://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkonit-bible-ministries-inc-

You can purchase Discover the Riches of His Grace on  Amazon

If you live in Southern California, I am available to visit your small group. I am also available to speak at local churches in Southern California. I’m always happy to share how God rocked my world. Feel free to contact me at Elizabeth@thinkonit.org.

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit

http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

Guest Author Elizabeth Marks ~ "Discover the Riches of His Grace"

What Body? He is Not Here! (Easter Rerun )

Imagine visiting your local cemetery and suddenly you discover the grave you’re approaching is not only unearthed – but the coffin is wide open and empty! 

What would you think?  I suppose the first thing you’d do would be to call security – and start a search for the missing body! 

Something strange and wonderful happened outside of Jerusalem at a small burial site in the Judean countryside over 2000 years ago.  A tomb which was sealed the previous night was now wide open – with no one taking credit for the monumental task.  Let me explain…

By definition, a grave is a place for the interment of the dead; a tomb, a sepulcher.  In Jesus’ day it was often merely a natural cave or grotto, or an artificial tomb hewn out of rock.  Many times graves were flagged with flat stones as markers to warn passers-by that they should not come in contact with the dead, thereby defiling themselves ceremonially, even if it was unwittingly done.  Once the body was laid inside, the tomb was sealed with a large stone – most likely weighing hundreds of pounds, and taking at least two strong men to place it at the mouth of the cave.  This was done to prevent animals from desecrating the body or thieves from removing sacred items.  Unsealing the tomb without being noticed would be difficult at best. One person alone could not move the stone without help from some other source.

Resurrection morning occurred on the first day of the week and Luke 24:1-12 tells us it was “very early”.  The women who had been with Joseph, a council member who had secretly become a disciple of Jesus, entered the tomb with the prepared spices for the body of Jesus.  They discovered that the Lord’s body was not there – and as they stood perplexed – two men in shining garments appeared before them.  The women, fearful and bowing down in reverence were told, “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again”.  Verse 8 says, “And they remembered His words.”

These women had witnessed Jesus’ body being placed inside the grave by Joseph and Nicodemus, who also came with the burial preparations, including a large amount of myrrh, aloes, spices and linen to wrap and prepare the Lord’s body, as was the custom of the Jews (John 19:38-42).  We know that when Joseph of Arimathea offered to lay the body of Jesus in his own tomb carved out of the rocky hillside, he most likely considered that he would need another tomb for his own interment.  Little did he know that he would again be using that very tomb for himself!  Jesus would merely be borrowing the sepulcher for three days – never again to be laid to rest, but to arise victorious and defeat death once and for all.   What was so special about this grave? 

When the women approached the tomb, they had but one concern: how would they roll away the large stone that blocked the entrance into the cave?  But as they looked up – the stone had already been moved, and upon entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side.  And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He is risen!  He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.”

There was no need for the stone – Christ simply stepped into heaven and left earth’s grip…

Charles Wesley penned this stirring hymn which is sung in many churches on Easter morning:

          Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

           Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

           Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died, our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won. Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.  Visit http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

What Body? He is Not Here! (Easter Rerun )