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 true freedom!”
But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” ~ Galatians 3:13
When Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross He fulfilled the Old Testament law in Deuteronomy that stated unrepentant sinners were to be hung on a tree. By allowing Himself to be hung on the cross Jesus took the punishment that was to have been given to all sinners. He saved us from law’s curse which would have fallen on all mankind.
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 ultimately fill our lives with love, gratitude and the serenity we desire.
THE LAW OF RESTITUTION
REQUIREMENT: RESTITUTION
RESULT: CLOSURE
They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done, adding an additional 20 percent and returning it to the person who was wronged. ~ Numbers 5:7
Step 9: We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
As recovering addicts working the 12 Steps, we all at one time will need to make our amends. The law of restitution is similar to making amends but it takes it a little bit further. Rather than trying to amend a broken relationship when we make restitution we are working to resolve what may have been lost or destroyed by our behavior: financial mistakes, physical injuries, sexual sins, etc.
So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.~ Matthew 5:23-24
“We cannot sincerely worship God with our words and sacrifices until we have made things right with other people.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery
It’s important that we make every effort possible, if possible to restore healing to the relationships that we can. Prayerfully, go to God for direction on who He wants you to make restitution with. Take time to write a letter if necessary or even see them in person. Ask them what it would take from you for them to feel like you have really restored the relationship.
Remember, we are not called to be in relationship with everyone we have hurt in the past. Some people we must make restitution through our Father from a distance.
Be blessed with this beautiful song by Casting Crowns.
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 fifteen. Enjoy!
So what can we say? We can say that non-Jewish people who were not trying to gain God’s approval won his approval, an approval based on faith. The people of Israel tried to gain God’s approval by obeying the laws in Moses’ Teachings, but they did not reach their goal. Why? They didn’t rely on faith to gain God’s approval, but they relied on their own efforts. They stumbled over the rock that trips people. ~ Romans 9:30-32
For hundreds of years the Hebrew people sought God by way of following the law. They were consumed with performing for God’s approval vs. seeking a personal relationship with Him. And not only that, when Jesus came, they were offended at the possibility of non-Jews being able to be right with God without following all the law.
They don’t understand ⌞how to receive⌟ God’s approval. So they try to set up their own way to get it, and they have not accepted God’s way for receiving his approval. ~ Romans 10:3
Rather than trusting in our own self-righteousness to be in good standing with God, we must have faith in Jesus and the grace that He brought for us.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21
Take a few minutes a watch this excellent teaching from Andrew Wommack that coincides with this chapter.
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 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 shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. ~ Exodus 20:16
Besides the obvious telling of straight lies, dishonesty comes in many forms from gossip, rumors, flattery, exaggeration, and of course slander.
As Jesus taught us, honesty is at its root an issue of the heart. And whatever we have in our heart is going to come out eventually.
Deceit is rampant in our modern culture today. Whether it is in academia, personal relationships, political leaders or the public media dishonesty is a huge problem in our world. And not just among unbelievers. Sadly, you will even find dishonesty in the Christian community.
As a reformed and healed liar, this commandment is close to my heart. I lived most of my life as a liar which ended up nearly destroying my life, marriage and family.
We will never be at peace with ourselves, God or others unless and until we are fully an unequivocally committed to God’s Word and we must keep it as a mirror before our hearts in examination each day. Only then can we have the power to be a truly honest person. By the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.~ Proverbs 12:22
Our memory aid for the Ninth Commandment shows us the image of a number 9 lying on its side, reminding us not to not lie about anything!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby 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
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.
The Jordan River Rules: 10 God-Given Strategies for Moving Forward by Robert J. Morgan is the second in a series by the author.
Having come recently from a wilderness experience, this was a perfectly timed book for me personally,
As the book description reads: ” The same God who led you in, will lead you on.” states, this is exactly what happened for my husband and myself these last few years.
The Jordan River Rules is a lovely book, with brief but power packed chapters. I’m still reading it and look forward to doing a book study on it in 2023.
I highly recommend The Jordan River Rules by Robert J. Morgan!
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 true freedom!”
While there are multiple empires that influenced, ruled and even oppressed the Israelite people throughout the Old Testament. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the Greek and Roman empires and their influence on Christianity.
As with all Old Testament history, it’s amazing to see how God uses the pagan nations and rulers to complete His plan and purpose. This is seen clearly through studying the Greek and Roman empires and the various revolts and exiles that impacted the Israelites up to and even after the time of Christ.
From Alexander the Great’s Greek Hellenistic culture to Caesar Augustus’ Roman rule, God used their laws to bring about the prophetic timing for the birth of Jesus Christ our Messiah who would ultimately rule from a place of true peace. His kingdom brought amazing grace and true freedom to a lost and dying world!
Be blessed by this beautiful worship song from Bethel Music and Josh Baldwin.
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 ultimately fill our lives with love, gratitude and the serenity we desire.
THE LAW OF FORGIVENESS
REQUIREMENT: FORGIVENESS
RESULT: FREEDOM
“FORGIVENESS is a choice that does not necessarily involve the person we need to forgive. It’s a one-sided transaction, a unilateral extension of grace. So there’s really no excuse for not forgiving others as God has forgiven us.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Recovery
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ~ Colossians 2:13-14
The law of forgiveness frees US from our pain.
When we continue to walk in unforgiveness because someone has hurt or betrayed us, we put ourself in bondage to that hurt and to that person. We become trapped with bitterness and resentment and ultimately hurt ourselves as well as our relationship with God.
When we’re able to forgive others we release that relationship and free ourselves from the painful bondage of the hurt from our past.
If you want a life of recovery, you must be willing to forgive. ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery
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 fourteen. Enjoy!
What Are You Thinking?
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ~ Romans 8:5-6
If we are born again Christians, our spirit is one with the Spirit of Jesus. In that regard we are in the Spirit. Even though we are “in” the Spirit, we might be walking or living in our carnal flesh thoughts, habits and behaviors.
We might not be born again Christians, being “in” the flesh, but trying to live or walk in the Spirit. However, we won’t have any power of victory because we aren’t one with Christ yet.
It’s critical that we renew our mind to God’s Word, so that we will live a victorious life.
Be blessed by Andrew Wommack’s video teaching on this chapter below.
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 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 shall not steal.~ Exodus 20:15
The eighth commandment is about more than just taking possessions from another person. There are multiple ways and things that people steal. In the long run, we are ultimately stealing from the God of the Universe!
An employer stealing from their employee by paying poor wages
An employee stealing from their boss by goofing off instead of working
An citizen stealing from the government by not paying taxes due
A business stealing from customers by falsely advertising their product
A person with the mindset of taking from others had that habit formed in them from their early childhood by parents who were either totally oblivious or were too lazy to train their child in godly ways.
God requires obedience to His law because it is what is best for the individual as well as a community. Partial obedience is still disobedience.
Let’s strive to be trustworthy. To live a life honoring God and all He has for us!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the Eighth Commandment shows us the image of a burglar wearing a mask in the shape of an 8, reminding us not to steal anything!
Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Eighth Commandment. Be blessed!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby 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
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 true freedom!”
THE EXILE
All through the Bible God teaches us the lessons and warnings regarding exile. In the beginning, Adam and Eve were blessed with the perfect paradise for their home. The only stipulation was to obey essentially one rule: Don’t eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. As we all know they didn’t obey that rule and were exiled from The Garden.
Fast forward to the era of the kings and prophets. We learned in the last two lessons, that it was seemingly impossible for the children of Israel to obey the instructions given them by Moses and Joshua. Here is just a sample of the curses foretold by Moses if the Israelites didn’t obey God’s Covenant Law.
“But if you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and do not obey all the commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you… The Lord will cause you to be defeated by your enemies. You will attack your enemies from one direction, but you will scatter from them in seven! You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth… The Lord will exile you and your king to a nation unknown to you and your ancestors. There in exile you will worship gods of wood and stone!~ Deuteronomy 28:15;25;36
Again as prophesied, the Israelite people couldn’t manage to obey God as commanded and were overtaken by their enemy’s nation and exiled to Babylon. But God loves His people so much that even then He provided grace and mercy during various periods through the lives of Daniel and Esther.
From the history of mankind Satan has been trying to eliminate the image of God on this earth; more specifically, God’s people. That threat is seen all through Scripture, Old and New Testaments alike. But thankfully God’s grace is seen time and again working to mercifully save His people from annihilation.
Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while. Power belongs to him forever. Amen. ~ 1 Peter 5: 7-11
In Jesus Christ, we have the best example of God’s loving mercy and grace bringing true freedom to the human race! Freeing us from the exile of sin we have been locked in since the fall of Adam and Eve.
Be blessed by this brilliant animation video fromThe Bible Project.
