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THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY | Sacrifice

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the third Friday of each month in 2022 we’re focusing our life recovery work on The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery: God’s Wisdom and Guidance for Your Journey with Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. This powerful study will take our life of recovery to a level of freedom most of us haven’t yet experienced.

THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY 

Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will fill our lives with love, gratitude and serenity. Each of the Twelve Laws of Life Recovery are aligned with one of the Twelve Steps of Life Recovery. As you go through the study you will see how they work together.

 

THE LAW OF SACRIFICE

REQUIREMENT: SACRIFICE
RESULT: FULFILLMENT

“The law of sacrifice is a powerful force in life recovery. Before we begin our recovery… we focus on pleasing ourselves and on what the world thinks is important… but we will not truly know fulfillment or significance until we learn the value of sacrifice.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ~ Romans 12:1-2

Our focus scripture, Romans 12:1-2 helps us understand how our life can become fulfilled when we have a mentality of sacrifice. Let’s break it down.

1. Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God

The Apostle Paul’s call to sacrifice our body to God doesn’t leave anything out.  No matter what our “drug of choice” is, we must willingly sacrifice what makes us feel good for God’s sake.

2. Give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you

We will find a fulfilling life if we will gratefully offer our body to God as a living and holy sacrifice in response to all He has done for us.

3. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable

God isn’t asking us to stop living. He wants us to live a life separated from what the bad things the world focuses on. That is a sacrifice that God can accept.

4. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world

Another reminder that we are to be separated from the ways of the world. We are not to try and fit in with those around us. But rather we are to follow Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit we can show an example of His light to the world.

5. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think

We are not just to sacrificially offer our bodies. We need to give him our mind as well. God wants to change us from the inside out starting. To do that we have to sacrifice our perspective. But this process won’t start unless we get in God’s Word. As we daily read scripture, our minds will be transformed to the way God thinks and acts.

6. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect

As we surrender to God and stop trying to do everything our way, we will learn that He has a much better plan for our lives. His ways are good and perfectly designed for us. When we follow God’s will and ways He is pleased and our life is fulfilled. And those around us will see God’s blessings on our life!

Fulfillment comes when we know God’s will for our lives and when we sacrifice everything or our own in order to live within the boundaries of His will. ~ The Twelve Law of Life Recovery

Take some time to dedicate your life to God as a living sacrifice with this powerful song by Brandon Lake. Be blessed!

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BOOK STUDY || GRACE: The Power of the Gospel | God’s Free Gift

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Five.

 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ~ Romans 5:8-9

MAINTAINED BY GRACE

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. ~ Colossians 2:6

We are not only saved by grace but we also continue our relationship with God with that same grace.  Grace not only saves us, it heals us, delivers us from addictions, and prospers us.  All of these are not benefits based on our performance. before God.  Rather all the benefits of salvation come from God’s precious grace through Jesus Christ.

“The same way your were born again is the same way you should continue walking with Him.” ~ Andrew Wommack

Many Christians receive grace for their salvation, but believe it is up to their performance to maintain their relationship with God. This is allowing the devil to deceive us. We must put our faith in and receive all the benefits of the entire Gospel of Christ!

ACCEPT THE TRUTH

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 5:17

The gift of righteousness came through Jesus Christ-not from anything we do. Our right standing with God comes by our faith in what Christ has done for us. The only thing we have to do is believe and accept the grace that comes from that faith. If we can believe that we were born a sinner, we have to believe the other side of that truth–when we are born again we are made right with God.

“As you understand God’s grace, His love will abound in your life. Faith will work by love, and everything you need will come through the power of the Gospel. The Gospel is the power of God! ~ Andrew Wommack

Take some time and watch this great teaching from Andrew Wommack that goes perfectly with this chapter. Be blessed!

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS STUDY | Honor The Sabbath

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” ~ Exodus 20:8-11

While some see the Ten Commandments as rules to keep us from having a fun time, the Ten Commandments are God’s laws given to humanity to help us, protect us and make our lives better. After the fall in The Garden of Eden, God began working on a plan to restore His relationship with humanity. With sin separating us from God’s holiness, He needed a way to show us our need for a Savior who could provide the way to bring people back to Him.

NOT JUST RULES

God knew what kind of life He wanted us to have. He also knew that we couldn’t do that on our own. The Law was given to show us that no matter how hard we try we can’t do life without God and be happy, healthy or successful. If He didn’t love us, God wouldn’t have give us rules to live by. Just like a good human parent puts rules in place to guide and protect their children, God gave us the law to help us.

THE GRACE OF REST

God’s grace is seen through all the commandments. Here we see the grace of rest bestowed on us as a blessing from being obedient. In Genesis chapter 2 we see the first six days of creation showed God separating light out of the darkness and water from the dry land. When God rested He separated what was ordinary from what is holy. This would later be the foundation for Israel’s worship and pave the way for the ultimate rest in Christ taught in the New Testament book of Hebrews.*

FREEDOM TO WORSHIP

When we honor the Sabbath by resting from our ordinary duties, chores, activities and the sort, we free ourselves from the cares of life so that we can freely focus on time to be with our Creator and Lord Jesus. This allows us to bring ourselves fully to a sweet place of worship in the Holy Spirit, where God can minister to us, energize and renew us for our upcoming week. If we fail to do this, not only are we dishonoring what God has put in place for us out of His ultimate best for us. But we are setting ourselves up for unnecessary stress and possibly potential illness. Certainly our marriages and families are happier and healthier when we take a full day to be with God and with them.

Not in a spirit of legalism, but for the sake of our physical & mental health, for the health of our families and our growing relationship with God, let’s commit ourselves to honoring God by faithfully keeping the Sabbath to the best of our ability.

UPDATE YOUR MEMORY

Our memory aid for the Fourth Commandment shows us the image of someone watching television. This is a good reminder for us not to waste a day on frivolous activities.

 

Take a few minutes to watch this short video from PragerU with Dennis Prager teaching on the fourth Commandment.

RESOURCES:

The Evidence Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

New Living Parallel Study Bible*

Spirit-Filled Life Bible

The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager

The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager

The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung

Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg

The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody

The Evidence Bible: Ten Commandments Memory Aid

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LAW / GRACE/ FREEDOM :: The Exodus

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.

“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”

God spoke to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but I didn’t make myself known to them by my name, the Lord. I even made a promise  to give them Canaan, the land where they lived as foreigners. Now I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians hold in slavery, and I have remembered my promise.

“Tell the Israelites, ‘I am the Lord. I will bring you out from under the oppression of the Egyptians, and I will free you from slavery. I will rescue you with my powerful arm and with mighty acts of judgment. Then I will make you my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the forced labor of the Egyptians. I will bring you to the land I solemnly swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your own possession. I am the Lord.’ ” ~ Exodus 6:2-8

As we are now in the Passover and Easter season of the year, this is an interesting study to reflect on.  Today we’ll look specifically at how God’s grace was displayed to the Children of Israel before, during and after their exodus from Egypt.  And we will look at how that grace brought freedom from Pharaoh’s slave law

Grace In HIS PROMISE

Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.~ Exodus 2:23-25 

Our Scripture reading above reflects God’s grace as He has heard the cries of His people in slave bondage under the Pharaoh. It’s not because the Children of Israel deserved God’s grace and mercy. It was because God remembered the promise He had made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God is always faithful to fulfill His promises.

GRACE IN THE PLAGUES

The homes of the Egyptians will be filled with flies, and even the ground outside will be covered with them. But on that day I will treat the region of Goshen differently. That is where my people live. There won’t be any flies there. This way you will know that I, the Lord, am here in this land. I will distinguish between my people and yours. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.’ ” ~ Exodus 8:21-23

But the Lord will distinguish between Israel’s livestock and the livestock of the Egyptians. No animals belonging to the Israelites will die.’ ” ~ Exodus 9:4

All over Egypt the hail knocked down everything that was out in the open. It struck down people, animals, and every plant in the fields and destroyed every tree in the fields. The only place it didn’t hail was the region of Goshen, where the Israelites lived. ~ Exodus 9:24-25

Moses lifted his hand toward the sky, and throughout Egypt there was total darkness for three days. People couldn’t see each other, and no one went anywhere for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they were living. ~ Exodus 10:23

Then Moses called for all the leaders of Israel. He said to them, “Pick out a lamb or a young goat for your families, and kill the Passover animal.Take the branch of a hyssop plant, dip it in the blood which is in a bowl, and put some of the blood on the top and sides of the doorframes ⌞of your houses⌟. No one may leave the house until morning. The Lord will go throughout Egypt to kill the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, he will pass over that doorway, and he will not let the destroyer come into your home to kill you. ~ Exodus 12:21-23

From the above selected Scriptures you can see that God graciously protected the Children of Israel during the ten plagues in Egypt. While there aren’t specific verses for all ten plagues, we have no reason to believe that God didn’t protect the Hebrew people through every plague.

GRACE IN THE EXODUS

The Egyptians begged the people to leave the country quickly. They said, “Soon we’ll all be dead!” So the people picked up their bread dough before it had risen and carried it on their shoulders in bowls, wrapped up in their clothes. The Israelites did what Moses had told them and asked the Egyptians for gold and silver jewelry and for clothes. The Lord made the Egyptians generous to the people, and they gave them what they asked for. So the Israelites stripped Egypt of its wealth. ~ Exodus 12:33-36

Even after all of God’s grace bestowed on the Hebrew people, He still had more for them on there way out of Egypt. The Egyptians were so afraid of what God would do to them they begged the Hebrew people to leave quickly. Not only were they now free to go, God made the Egyptians have generous favor so much that Egypt was cleaned of its wealth!

God heard the cry of His people, remembered and kept His promises.  His mercy and grace found them in their bondage just like He does for us today. God blesses all His people with His grace and freedom.

Be blessed by this touching song by Matt Redman.

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THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY | Willingness

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the third Friday of each month in 2022 we’re focusing our life recovery work on The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery: God’s Wisdom and Guidance for Your Journey with Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. This powerful study will take our life of recovery to a level of freedom most of us haven’t yet experienced.

THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY 

Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will fill our lives with love, gratitude and serenity. Each of the Twelve Laws of Life Recovery are aligned with one of the Twelve Steps of Life Recovery. As you go through the study you will see how they work together.

THE LAW OF WILLINGNESS

REQUIREMENT: willingness
RESULT: growth

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ~ Colossians 3:23

“Willingness opens the door to new paths that lead to growth. Resistance or stubbornness are signs of foolish ness and self-delusion.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery

There’s a childish side of us all that wants everything our way. Those of us in life recovery have probably experienced a time when friends or family members tried to get us to stop our addictive habits or behaviors. But we were foolish and stubbornly refused to listen or comply with their requests. We were unwilling to change. We wanted to live life on our terms.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. ~ James 3:17

Take a moment of inventory…

Are you living a life of wisdom? The proof you are not wise is a lack of purity, love, gentleness and a willingness to yield to others. When we willing submit to God we open our selves to His wisdom. We will begin to grow personally and our lives will produce godly results that others will see.

Take a few moments to watch / listen to this beautiful Casting Crowns song.

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BOOK STUDY || GRACE: The Power of the Gospel | Faith Accesses Grace

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Four.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. ~ Romans 5:1-2

Many Christians believe that God gave the Law for us to keep. And when we kept the Law then we deserved a relationship with Him. But that isn’t the purpose of the Law. Then why did God give us all the laws and commandments if our salvation comes only by grace?

In Romans Chapter 4, Paul explains this to us using the example of Abraham. In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of  so many that he couldn’t count them. Abraham took God at His Word and by faith believed that God was going to keep His promise. At the point of Abraham’s belief, God saw Abraham as a righteous man. God saw Abraham as a person of right standing who could be in His presence. It wasn’t because of anything Abraham actually did. It was what he believed. It was his faith that put Abraham in right standing with God.

written for us

That is why Abraham’s faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God. But the words “his faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God” were written not only for him but also for us. Our faith will be regarded as the basis of our approval by God—each of us who believe in the one who brought Jesus, our Lord, back to life.  ~ Romans 4:23-24

Abraham  was declared right in God’s eyes thirteen years before he made covenant with God through the sign of circumcision. It was after he believed God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations not because of any actions or performance. Paul teaches us that these things are written for us so that we will know we too are found righteous and have access to God by our faith alone.

Have Peace With God

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ~ Romans 5:1

It’s a hard life trying to measure up to God’s approval based on our own efforts. There’s nothing we can do that will clean off the sins we have committed.  That kind of living carries a heavy burden and is empty of true peace that is available to us simply by putting our faith and trust in what Christ did for us on the cross.

“The only way we can have peace with God is through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ Andrew Wommack

Trust God and Let Go

Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. ~ Romans 5:2

The world doesn’t understand God’s grace is equally available to all. God is an equal opportunity God. He won’t play favorites between people. We all have the same availability to the benefits of His love. Jesus paid the price for all of us. We each have free access to God’s grace everyday.

It’s not difficult. But we do have to make the decision to accept by faith what Jesus did for us. Faith is the only price we have to pay; to simply believe and receive. To do that we must let go of trying to please God in our own goodness and trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ!

If you’ve never taken this step of faith before, pray this simple prayer:

Jesus, I confess you as my Savior and Lord. By faith in God’s Word I accept your grace and receive my salvation today. Thank you Jesus for saving me! 

Be blessed with this excellent teaching video from Andrew Wommack.

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS STUDY | Honor God’s Name

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. ~ Exodus 20:7 NLT

The Third Commandment is focused on how we use God’s name. Sadly, in our modern culture, misusing God’s name is commonplace certainly by unbelievers but even by some believers.

In the Hebrew tradition a person’s name describes their character. When we casually use God’s name we are not respecting His nature and Who God is. Whether we’re taking an oath that we have no intention of keeping or more importantly doing evil in God’s name, we bring shame on God’s name.

When we misuse God’s name we are representing God as being worthless. Not only are we disrespecting God’s name, but we are making other people believe wrong ideas about God. We don’t know how the words we use affect those who hear them.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. ~ Ephesians 4:29 NLT

How we use God’s name shows what we really believe about Him. If we show respect and honor to His name that shows the state of our faith and heart toward Him. We must remember God’s name is connected to Who God is as a person. It is also connected to His presence and power. We cannot separate God’s name from Who He is.

The Third Commandment deals with honoring God’s name but it also deals with how holy our language is and the use of profanity. Interestingly, the root of the word profanity means “to take out of the temple.” So when we use God’s name in profanity we are dishonoring God rather than worshiping Him. And with that dishonor comes judgement.

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. ~ Matthew 12:35-37 NLT

Let’s commit our lips to Honoring God’s name with all our words!

UPDATE YOUR MEMORY

Our memory aid for the Third Commandment shows us the image of lips. Reminding us not to misuse God’s name with our words.

Take a few minutes to watch this short video from PragerU with Dennis Prager teaching on the third Commandment.

RESOURCES:

The Evidence Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

New Living Parallel Study Bible

Spirit-Filled Life Bible

The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager

The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager

The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung

Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg

The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody

The Evidence Bible: Ten Commandments Memory Aid

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LAW / GRACE/ FREEDOM :: The Patriarchs

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.

“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for recovery from any addiction and therefore no true freedom!”

Then the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives and your father’s family. Go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make you famous. And you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you. I will place a curse on those who harm you. And all the people on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram left Haran as the Lord had told him. ~ Genesis 12:1-4

From the deserts of Haran, God found the man who would be the father of His people Israel, and ultimately the heir to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Even before the law was given to Moses, Abram faithfully obeyed the Word given to him. God’s grace saw Abram’s faith and counted it as righteousness.

Abraham believed when he stood in the presence of the God who gives life to dead people and calls into existence things that don’t even exist.  When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed…  He didn’t doubt God’s promise out of a lack of faith. Instead, giving honor to God ⌞for the promise⌟, he became strong because of faith and was absolutely confident that God would do what he promised. That is why Abraham’s faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God. ~ Romans 4:17-18; 20-22

The story of the Old Testament Patriarchs is the story of a family that spanned two thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Through the rich heritage of these faithful people, God blessed obedient men and women whose lineage brought His son to the human race. (See Matt 1:1-17)

Because of their obedience to the call on their lives, Father God graced The Patriarchs of our faith with favor and blessings that provided the way for us to experience. the true freedom found only in Jesus Christ.

We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. ~ Romans 5:1-2

I pray you will be blessed with this anointed song by Cory Asbury.

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BOOK STUDY || GRACE: The Power of the Gospel | The Purpose of the Law

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Three.

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. ~ Romans 3:19-20

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

No matter who we are, religious or not, we are all guilty in God’s eyes. Our religion won’t bring us closer to God, but it does make us more accountable. Because we should know better than the person who hasn’t learned God’s standards.

WhO THE LAW IS FOR

In Romans Paul is writing to the Jewish Christians who thought that before the Gentiles (non Jews) could become believers in Christ they needed to convert to Judaism and observe the laws. But the law was not give to the Gentiles. It  was given to the religious Jews only.

The Law Shuts every mouth

The law reveals our sin and how guilty we are before God. It shuts every mouth from comparing and making excuses. Fearing God’s wrath and our knowledge of sin might motivate us to stop sinning. But it can’t cleanse us from the sin or bring us forgiveness.

But God has a way to make people right with him without the law. And God has now shown us that way which the law and the prophets told us about. God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all are the same. All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory. ~ Romans 3:21-23

The Law Points to Jesus

All the Old Testament Law and Prophets point to the Eternal One. The law was just a temporary way of dealing with the people’s sins until Jesus could come. The only way anyone can become righteous without the law is through Jesus. To be right with God apart from the law was a radical concept for the Jewish believers.

Under the Law we are All the same

With the law God’s raised the standard so high that no one could meet in in their own merit. This shows us our need for a Savior–Jesus Christ. We might follow the law well but it won’t effect our right standing with God. His holy and perfect righteousness can only come through Christ. None of us can measure up to Jesus!

So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. ~ Romans 3:28

Conclusion

Fearing God might encourage someone to stop sinful behavior. But it won’t clean the wrong motives in their heart. The law may get people’s attention but it doesn’t change our hearts. It is only God’s mercy and goodness that brings us to a place of real repentance and change for the right reasons. None of us can measure up to what Jesus has done for us. By faith in Christ we are made right with God not by obeying the law.

Be blessed with this excellent teaching video from Andrew Wommack.

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS STUDY | Honor God With Your Worship

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. ~ Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT)

For some it’s hard to imagine worshipping an idol like people did in Bible days. In reality, today we have lots of idols.  Whether it is fame, money, pleasure, work or people… these can all become gods in our lives if we allow them to determine our meaning in life.

Find GOD’S purpose in this law

Among other reasons God’s laws are designed to protect us. What is God protecting us from? I believe He is trying to protect us from ourselves. Like little children, we think God is trying to keep us from having fun. When actually it’s the opposite.

Scripture tells us that sin is fun for a season.  God knows how easily we’re deceived by the sparkling pleasures of this world. Faith in God, His laws and His love for us will help us see beyond the temporary thrills of this world to the true satisfaction of God’s eternal Kingdom.

find GOD’S grace in this law

Another purpose of the law is to show us our need to be made right before God. The law tried to teach the children of Israel rules for living that would help them live in right standing with God. But there is no one who can keep all the laws. That is why Jesus came… to complete the law and allow us to be made right in God’s eyes by grace.

The law is required to define our sins. When we know what our sins are, we will more easily recognize our need for faith in Jesus. That faith in Jesus will bring the gifts of salvation and grace. Therefore, faith and grace are also wrapped up in the law.

The Apostle Paul in Romans asks if we can now do away with the law because of our faith in Christ. He answers an emphatic, no. In fact, because of Jesus and His grace, the purpose of the law has been completed.

find GOD’S freedom in this law

There was a time in my life that I walked away from the Lord. I lost faith in God and God’s people. When I removed God from His place of honor I allowed myself to get caught up in wrong activities, people and behaviors. Overtime they gained a place of importance they didn’t deserve.

By taking God out of first place in my life, I removed myself from under His umbrella of protection. I set myself up for Satan to get a foothold in my life. When that happened I no longer walked in the freedom I had with God. I was now in bondage to the devil.

Like Eve in the Garden, this trap began with thoughts that doubted God’s love for me. Followed by my eyes looking at something I shouldn’t have been looking at. I might not have bowed down to an idol on my knees. But I certainly devoted too much time and money in pursuit of them. So much that they became the central focus of my thoughts and ultimately controlled my life.

If we can keep God holding first place in our lives we protect ourselves from Satan’s traps and other things from turning into idols. When we keep the first commandment it’s easier to keep the second. The more we keep God’s commandments, the free-er we will be. The law and grace bring us freedom!

UPDATE YOUR MEMORY

Our memory aid for the second commandment shows us the image of a person bowing down before burning incense. This reminds us that we should not bow down before anyone or anything but God!

Take a few minutes to watch this short video from PragerU with Dennis Prager teaching on the 2nd Commandment.

RESOURCES:

The Evidence Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

New Living Parallel Study Bible

Spirit-Filled Life Bible

The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager

The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager

The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung

Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg

The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody

The Evidence Bible: Ten Commandments Memory Aid