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!”
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.~ Galatians 5:1
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are no longer under the burden to follow the law to be in right standing with Father God. The sacrifice the Jesus made for all mankind on the cross graciously gave us the freedom to be in God’s presence at any moment.
One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”~ Mark 12:28-31
Sure, we need to do what Jesus said above and love the Lord our God with all our hearts and love our neighbors. If we will follow both of these laws, all the others will be kept. We mustn’t burden ourselves with tedious rule keeping.
Love God. Love People. Find grace and true freedom!
Be blessed with this beautiful new song by Josh Baldwin.
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!”
And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.~ Ephesians 1:23
As members of Christ’s body we walk in the all sufficient grace made possible by His sacrifice. We are the true expression of God’s grace in this world!
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 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 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.
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.
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.~ Isaiah 30:1
God’s LAW
The prophets of Israel were tasked to be mediators of God’s covenant to the people and their kings. Because of Israel’s rebellion, the true prophets were constantly trying to warn of the pending disaster that was coming if they continued to break God’s laws.
The Sovereign Lord showed me a vision. I saw him preparing to send a vast swarm of locusts over the land. This was after the king’s share had been harvested from the fields and as the main crop was coming up.In my vision the locusts ate every green plant in sight. Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” So the Lord relented from this plan. “I will not do it,” He said.~ Amos 7:1-6
God’s GRACE
As an expression of God’s grace, the prophets, who were empowered by the Holy Spirit, would communicate the future hope God would bring after the judgement for their rebellion. Although the prophets weren’t exactly neutral parties, they would also represent the people’s response by way of intercession to God.
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.~ Hebrews 1:1-3
Our FREEDOM
In the past God used prophets to reveal Himself to the world. Today we have God’s Word bringing us Christ’s message of judgement to those who refuse to repent of their sins. But thankfully, God’s Word also points us to freedom from the burden of sin available to us in Jesus Christ the ultimate prophet and intercessor to our heavenly Father.
“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for true freedom!”
Be blessed by this beautiful worship song by Bethel Music.
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!”
After King Solomon’s death in 931 BC the stressful relationships between the Hebrew tribes divided them into two kingdoms; with Israel being the northern kingdom and Judah the southern kingdom. The contrasting stories of the kings who reigned over the two kingdoms show us lives of those who chose to live according to God’s law vs those who decided to go their own way.
I promise that I will honor those who honor me, and those who despise me will be considered insignificant. ~ 1 Samuel 2:30
When we look at the history of the kings of Israel and Judah we can see that the kingdoms suffered under the kings who didn’t follow the Lord. However, God’s grace was shown to the kingdom and the people as long as the king obeyed and honored God’s laws.
A surprisingly low number of kings were faithful to God. Out of the 39 kings who reigned over Judah and Israel only eight from the southern kingdom of Judah were good. All 19 kings from the northern kingdom of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
He will never forget His agreement or His promises, not in thousands of years. ~ Psalm 105:8
The good news is that God is not only a loving law giver, He is a gracious promise maker. And He keeps His promises to a thousand generations. Although the kings in the divided Hebrew kingdoms failed miserably to follow God’s laws, He graciously kept the promise he kept not only to Abraham, but to King David.
For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong… Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever. ~ 2 Samuel 7:12; 16
The promise to David included the heir that would later become the Messiah, Jesus Christ The Righteous One Who brought the power of grace to free all humanity from evil and sin.
Praise God Jesus is the King of my heart. His love endures forever. His goodness and mercy lasts for eternity!
Be blessed by this wonderful worship song by Kutless.
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!”
LAW
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim. He spoke to the people of Israel there and said: “I brought you up from Egypt. I led you to the land I promised to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my agreement with you. But in return, you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You must destroy their altars.’ But you did not obey me. How could you do this? Now I will tell you this: ‘I will not force out the people in this land. They will become your enemies. Their gods will become a trap for you.’” Judges 2:1-3
After Joshua and all the people who came from Egypt died off, God raised up political / religious leaders to guide the people in times of oppression from their enemies. The era of the judges highlights the core principles of God’s law brought by Moses: Obedience brings peace and life. Disobedience brings oppression and death. These stories remind us God’s judgement for sin is sure to come. However, forgiveness of sins with restored relationship is equally as certain for those who turn to Him in true repentance.
REBELLION
The people of Israel served the Lord as long as Joshua was alive. They continued serving the Lord during the lifetimes of the elders who lived on after Joshua. These men had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel…. After those people had died, their children grew up. They did not know the Lord or what he had done for Israel. So they did evil and worshiped the Baal idols. They did what the Lord said was wrong. The Lord had brought the people of Israel out of Egypt. And the ancestors of these people had worshiped the Lord. But the Israelites quit following the Lord. They began to worship the gods of the people who lived around them. That made the Lord angry. The Israelites quit following the Lord and worshiped Baal and Ashtoreth. The Lord was angry with the people of Israel. So he let robbers attack them and take their possessions. He let their enemies who lived around them defeat them. They could not protect themselves from their enemies. When the Israelites went out to fight, they always lost. They lost because the Lord was not on their side. The Lord had sworn to them this would happen. So the Israelites suffered very much. ~ Judges 7; 10-15
This section of scripture shows us the cycle of sin, judgement and repentance that the people of Israel repeated over and over. This is the cycle all humanity repeats over and over again. As one godly generation dies off, the next generation either wasn’t taught the ways of God or they simply fail to follow God because the temptation of sin is so great. The responsibility lies on the family leaders. When one generation fails to teach the next generation how to follow God’s laws, the cycle of sin is sure to continue.
GRACE
Then the Lord chose leaders called judges. These leaders saved the people of Israel from the robbers. But the Israelites did not listen to their judges. They were not faithful to God. They followed other gods instead. In the past the people of Israel obeyed the Lord’s commands. But now the Israelites stopped obeying the Lord. Many times the enemies of Israel hurt the Israelites. So the Israelites would cry for help. And each time the Lord felt sorry for them. Each time he sent a judge to save them from their enemies. The Lord was with those judges. ~ Judges 2:16-18
Even in the face of all Israel’s consistent rebellion to God, He faithfully continued to deliver them from their oppressors. This deliverance wasn’t because of the repentance on Israel’s part, but of mercy and compassion from the heart of a loving Father.
FREEDOM
The judges, even with their flaws and weaknesses did save Israel from their enemies. But through it all the people of Israel continued to insist on having a king like other nations. They did need a king, but not the kind they thought. What they needed was The King, and Messiah, Jesus Christ who would bring true freedom from all the oppressors.
The most important lesson we can learn from the judges stories is that humanity is ingrained with a cyclical sinful nature. Unless we keep our focus on God’s Word and teach the younger generation God’s ways, humanity will consistently return to dark, evil ways.
The good news is our heavenly Father will always be there when we turn away from sin. When we call out to Him, He is faithful to deliver us from our enemies, even if that worst enemy is ourself. God will bring us to a place of freedom and victory over any bondage we may suffer from if we continue to follow Him.
Be blessed by this worship song with Jesus Culture.
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.
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 faithand 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.
