Scripture to Read
Haggai 1, Ezra 4-6, Hebrews 3:15, Matthew 21:18-22
Podcast
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Resources
Jesus on Every Page by David Murray
Haggai 1, Ezra 4-6, Hebrews 3:15, Matthew 21:18-22
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Jesus on Every Page by David Murray
James 5:16 amp
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Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson
31 Days of Praying Scripture over Your Children
“One of the greatest dangers of family relationships is that we become bind to beauty and mystery simply because we live in such close proximity.
You need a vision for your children…. with your spiritual eyes you can see what that person can be.” Mark Batterson, Praying Circles Around Your Children
Numbers 13-14, John 5:46, Ephesians 2:3-5, Romans 5:9, Luke 8:22-25
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Head Heart Hand blog by Dr. David Murray
Jesus on Every Page by Dr. David Murray
When we read the OT, we can sometimes feel lost or disconnected from the text and story. It seems like something that we don’t really need to know about because, well, we are living under the new covenant. I used to think this. I rarely read any of the Old Testament besides Psalms and Proverbs. The other book scared me. The truth is, the entire Bible is God’s story, Genesis to Revelation….beginning to end…the scarlet thread is weaved. All of the Old Testament points to Christ, our Savior.
If you have your Bibles, take a moment to stop and read Numbers 13 and 14. This is where we are going to hang out for the rest of this episode.
We are going to look at how this passage can teach us about who God is and ways we can see Jesus in this text.
John 9:1-3, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Colossians 3:1-3, Hebrews 3:1, 2 Timothy 1:10
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Article: Three Ways to Overcome Gun Violence in the United States by Dawn Sutherland
Daring to Hope: Finding God’s Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful
Write out 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Meditate on this Truth.
Memorize this Scripture, let it renew your mind and change your heart.
I will fix my eyes on Jesus, to see the unseen and eternal.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your word. It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Your Word breathes new life and into dry and weary bones. Help me to see people the way you see them. Increase my love for people and You. Fill me with hope in the eternal to overflow onto others and be a light in this word. Thank you for the cross and for Your love, that’s everlasting. Please give me a Jesus perspective.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Genesis 2-3, 1 Peter 3:1-2 & 4, Proverbs 31, James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 5:33, Proverbs 5:18, 12:4, 13:3, 19:13, 21:9, Psalm 62:5, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Titus 2:4
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31 Days of Praying for Your Husband
Write out 1 Peter 3:1-2, 4.
Meditate on this Truth.
Memorize this Scripture, let it renew your mind and change your heart.
I trust in God to make my husband holy, I will be a woman who reverently and worshipfully lives as an example. I will be a wife who honors my husband and lives with a gentle and quiet spirit.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my husband. Thank you for the precious, wonderful gift of marriage. You have shown me your love through the union you joined together. Help me be the wife that my husband needs. Help me love him well, showing him the love of Jesus. Fill me with You more and more so that I can serve my family well, being a light that shines for you. I love you Jesus.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Matthew 4:1-11, James 4:7, Ephesians 2, 2 Timothy 2:15
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Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson
Podbean for Rising Oaks Podcast
Write out Ephesians 2:6.
Meditate on this Truth.
Memorize this Scripture, let it renew your mind and change your heart.
I am a co-heir with Christ because God raised me up and seated me with Christ.
Father God, thank you for sending your one and only Son to die on the cross and bring abundant life to this earth. The gift of knowing you and loving you greatly outweighs everything and anything this world can provide. Open my eyes to see your wonder and love for me. I trust you with my identity. Thank you for loving me so much and for giving me your Holy Spirit. I am a citizen of heaven. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and see through your eyes. I love you so much Jesus!
In Jesus’ name! Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6-11; 27-31, Romans 12:3-8 & Ephesians 4: 11-13
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Your gifts. Study what it means to have the personality and gifting that are you.
Psalm 139
Philippians 1:6
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (Paul’s example of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit within him.)
1 Timothy 4:14
2 Timothy 1:6
Colossians 3:23-24
Write out Colossians 3:23-24
Meditate on this Truth.
Memorize this Scripture, let it renew your mind and change your heart.
It is the Lord you are serving.
Father God, thank you for creating me and calling me your masterpiece. Help me to see You in everything and become more aware of how you are and can use my gifts right where I am. Renew my mind and heart with Your love. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. How mighty are your works and how vast are your thoughts. I love you Jesus!
In Jesus’ name! Amen.
Genesis 39, Revelations 3:5, 2 Corinthians 2:14-15; 4:13, John 3:16
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Write out 2 Corinthians 2:14b-15a
Meditate on this Truth.
Memorize this Scripture, let it renew your mind and change your heart.
We are the sweet aroma of Christ.
Father God, let my life be an examples of your love. Let my legacy on this earth be about the lives touched and hearts rendered to you. Let my prayers be powerful and purposeful. Let my life and legacy move through my daughters and their children in a mighty way. To You be the glory and praise!
In Jesus’ name! Amen.
Genesis 12
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Let’s dive deeper into Genesis 12:1 & 4.
The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (7 promises later…) So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years olds when he set out from Harran.
**The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household:
The Lord told Abram to leave all he had ever known. Obedience builds faith. When Abram obeyed and trusted God he stepped into a deep relationship with God Almighty and had his faith increased the more he experienced God’s faithfulness and presence. But, Abram was told to leave… why? (Check out the podcast to find out… )
What will God do with surrender and obedience?
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**to the land I will show you.
Abram didn’t know where he was going. God hadn’t revealed the destination to him, just the first step.
As we step out in obedience and surrender, God reveals more and more of HIs plan to us.
In Luke 8:22-27 Jesus told His disciples that would go across to the other side of the lake. The disciples chose to step into the boat and go with Him. They faced storms and uncertainty of the unknown. Jesus woke to distressed men in need of a Savior. He calmed the storm and questioned the disciples faith because when Jesus says “Let’s go over to the other side” He will fulfill His word and you’ll get there. It doesn’t mean there won’t be storms, but with Jesus ion your boat all will be well, our job is to lean on Him, trust in His word and have faith that He will guide and protect our steps of obedience into the unknown.
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(7 promises later…)
God made seven promises to Abram that would change his life and the world. Seven is the number of completion in scripture and it also is the number that represents God. In Revelations, 6 is distinguished as the number of man and 7 is the number of God. 6 always falls short of 7 and will never be 7. We, as humans, fall short of the glory of God and need His grace and righteousness through Jesus. It’s not a coincidence that God game Abram 7 promises. He is always faithful to complete the work He starts. He did it for Abraham and he will do it for you. (Philippians 1:6)
7 days of creation.
7 times the Israelites marched around the city of Jericho for 7 days and God delivered that city into the Israelites hands.
7 pairs of every kind of animal were on the ark.
7fold Spirit of God in Christ: Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, fear of the LORD, and a delight in obeying the LORD (Isaiah 11:2-3)
In Revelations….
7 churches in Asia (Rev. 1:4)
7 seals opened by the Lamb of God (Jesus) (Rev. 6:1)
7 angels stand before God (Rev. 8:2)
7 trumpets for 7 angels standing before God (Rev. 8:2)
7 golden bowls… of God’s wrath (Rev. 15:7)
…. to be continued…
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So Abram went, as the LORD had told him
Abram left his family, home and all that was known to follow a God and the unknown.
There are times when God will pull you away and out of some stuff so that you can grow in Him.
Abram’s willingness couldn’t have been easy or without pain. But he wanted the life and promises only God could give him. When we recognize that God’s ways are far better than our own we begin to want His ways over our own.
Hebrews 11:8-13 reveals that it was by faith that Abraham obeyed and went to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, even though he did not know where he was going. He was looking past the circumstance he could physically see and into an eternal legacy provided by God. Abrahma would not live to see the promises on earth, he only saw and welcomed them from a distance. He understood that his citizenship was in heaven not earth; therefore, he lived to obey and surrender to God, who’s ways and plans greatly surpassed his own.
We may not understand the reason or even see the purpose, but when we are obedient to God and desire His will, we will be blessed and be blessings to others. Surrendering to Him is the first step.
Are you ready? What can you do today, in this moment, to fully surrender?
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and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years olds when he set out from Harran.
Finally, this journey is not meant to be taken alone. Abraham has Lot, Sarah and the LORD. This is a journey of faith, find community and relationships to join you on this road.
There’s no age or moment in life that you have passed the point of being used by God.
Surrounding to God’s will, God’s way, will always cause us to step out of what’s comfortable and cozy, but the blessings of obedience greatly outweigh the pain of surrender.
Hebrews 11:8-13
Philippians 1:6
Joshua 24:2-3
Jeremiah 11:6-11 and 21:1-10
Jeremiah 21:8 says … Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: see I am setting before you the way of life and death.’
Let’s look closer into Jeremiah 21:8 and dissect it to grasp the deeper meaning.
**This is what the Lord says: See, I am …
LOOK, LISTEN, PAY ATTENTION. God is all knowing, all powerful and ever present. He is the creator os the heavens and the earth.
Isaiah 40 tells us that God sits enthroned over all the earth, its people are like grasshoppers and who can compare? He has no rival or equal.
Revelations 1:8 says “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Our job is to pay attention, listen to His voice and be aware of His holy presence.
**This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you …
God has given us free will, the choice is ours to follow and obey Him or go our own ways.
God sets before you the way of life and prosperity & death and destruction. (Deuteronomy 30:11-20)
“Free will is a precise gift from God, for it lets us love Him with out “whole heart”- because we want to.” Matthew 22:37
**This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life …
In the Gospel of John we learn who Jesus is by the 7 I AM statements He makes. We are going to look at two of those statements to understand how our free will is a sacrifice.
He is
Jesus is the only way to eternal life and a life full of abundance on this earth. Through God’s amazing grace we have the opportunity to reign in this life through Jesus. (Romans 5:17) In John 4, Jesus offers the Samaritan woman life giving water that nourishes the soul from deep within, wells up inside and bubbles over with an abundant, fruitful life. Jesus’ manifested presence in our lives is the sources of freedom.
**This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and death…
SIN.
Death entered this world through sin. All people have sinner and fall short of the glory of God.
The mistake the Israelites kept making was to turn their heart away from God, disobey His commandments, and worship other gods.
What do you worship? Just look at what you spend your time, energy and money on and you’ll find the object of your worship.
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
Isaiah 40
Revelations 1:8
Romans 5:12-17
John 4:1-26
1 Peter 1:14-17
Romans 12:2
Write out Romans 12:2.
Meditate on this Truth.
Memorize this Scripture, let it renew your mind and change your heart.
We are living sacrifices to God by the way we live and honor Him.
Father God, I honor you today and humbly submit myself to you. I love you and want to live a life that pleases you. I am on fire for Jesus and choose to be alive to You and dead to the world around me. Nothing means more to me than pleasing You, Jesus. Every day of my life, I live to serve You. Holy Spirit, if there is any part of me that has been influenced wrongly by this world, I ask you to please reveal it to me and help me change my ways. I choose to worship you above all other things, above my life, above my dreams, above my desires.
In Jesus’ name! Amen.