Ephesians Bible Study

Good morning and happy Saturday. I'm sharing with you a great bible study on the book of Ephesians that I found on a blog "Stone Soup for Five". It's in the side bar. You enter your email and it will be sent to you. This is a FREE study. I have a study book, as well, on the same thing, so I might try and incorporate it into the study. Check out my Facebook page as I also cross post there for bible study and doddling/journaling: Ladies Cafe and Bible Study.

*** I can't seem to get the links to activate, but if you google the stone soup blog, you'll find the bible study. For Facebook, just type in the name of my page.

These are some suggested resources to help you in your reading and understanding of the Book of Ephesians. (They come from the Stone Soup for Five bible study)


Grace to You--John MacArthur
https://www.gty.org/resources/Bible-Introductions/MSB49/Ephesians

Blue Letter Bible--Matthew Henry's Introduction
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Eph/Eph_000.cfm?a=1098001

I am also using some of my resources from my Christian Counseling course as well as a study guide for Ephesians:

• New Believers Compact New Testament (From Live Church)
• Illustrated Bible Survey: An Introduction
• Ephesians by Max Lucado

I hope you all will join me and others in exploring Scripture, growing our faith and a chance to be creative. 

Bible Journaling 101

Good morning lovelies! I'm trying a new project. I have seen such great ideas on how people journal in their bible, keeping track in a beautiful way their prayers or what they are learning. However, I don't have the money to buy a new bible. But recently I received lots of scrap booking materials. So, I decided I would try using a scrap book as a way to journal. Here is the beginning:

I've been checking out some online resources and videos because I'm not sure where or how to begin. It can seem rather daunting because so many people seem to be so artistic. I'm lucky if I can draw a stick figure!! I also don't have money for fancy supplies. I have gotten some basic supplies to get started. I know I can pick up more stuff at the dollar store. That's a great way to accumulate a variety of supplies without going broke.

My biggest stumbling block is what verses to start with. There are websites to help with that. Or you can start with a favorite passage. You might want to use a verse from a daily devotional. Or just pray about it. God will tell you where you need to start. I found a really nice video on how to get started. This is one from a very bubbly college student. You can check it out here: **How to Start Bible Journaling + My First Entries.

There are also resources to do an online bible journal. Those of you who are familiar with various photo editing programs might find these a little easier than those of us who really don't know! I found some ideas in this blog: ** http://www.biblejournalingdigitally.com/3-ways-to-bible-journal-digitally/. It offers some images and a workbook you can download and print. You can also download and print images just from a google search.

There is no one wrong or right way to do this. This is for you. To follow your progress in your faith. Or get you through a tough time. Or a way to express your creativity that God gave you. I hope you will try this out and maybe share some photos of your journals!

** If the links don't work, then just copy and paste it into your browser. **

Have fun and God Bless!

Let's Try This Again

They say third time's a charm, so let's see if it holds true. I keep starting this blog but can't seem to keep with it. Maybe now that I'm not working, I can keep up with this. We'll see........

I'm trying to tie in my blog and one of the groups I have on Facebook. There needs to be resources and ideas that will be accessible for people to use. I have a number of books and workbooks that I'd like to share. I'll add the link to my Facebook group in the page description, as well as adding the link here to my Facebook group. I hope you will take advantage of some of these ideas to help you out.

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 2: Scripture Verse, Challenge and Video

Welcome to week 2 of our study. This week we're going to look at why the crucifixion matters. Our scripture for Sunday (4/6/14) is Luke 23:26-49.It is the heart breaking story of the crucifixion. I have seen several movies about the crucifixion and I always find those scenes the hardest to watch. But Jesus did it for us! He knew what would become of Him and why. He made the ultimate sacrifice. Keep that in mind while you are reading this.

This is from the GMG Blog, but I thought it needed to be shared here. Some important things to keep in mind.

1. We are ALL sinners

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way…”- Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)

We are all in need of forgiveness, mercy and grace. No matter how hard we try, we can NOT earn our way to heaven. Our “good works” are like filthy rags compared to God’s holiness. (Isaiah 64:6)

2. We can have peace with God because of Christ’s shed blood on the cross

Jesus died in my place….in your place. I NEVER want that truth to ever be taken for granted. My sins put Him on the cross and I want that realization to daily rock my world. I want to love, forgive and extend grace extravagantly because of the price my sweet Jesus paid on my behalf.  Jesus suffered what was meant for me.

By shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus took the punishment we deserve and offered us His righteousness. When we trust Christ for our salvation, essentially we are making a trade. By faith, we trade our sin and its accompanying death penalty for His righteousness and life.- Chuck Swindoll

3. We are loved
I know we’ve all heard the saying,

“It wasn’t the nails that kept Jesus on the cross, but His love.”

As women, I know we love watching movies where the hero of the story rescues the girl and saves the day from the evil villain and if we’re honest,  as we watch these movies our hearts secretly wish we had someone in our lives who would love us like that. What we don’t realize is that we already do, Jesus. He has already fought the mighty battle for our souls by going to the cross and dying in our place.

Honestly, I don’t think our minds can comprehend what Christ truly went through on the cross, not just physically but spiritually as well. We don’t know what it feels like to be separated from God and bearing the weight of the world’s sins for all time. Past. Present. Future.

For those of us who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation and have asked Jesus to take control of our lives and come into our hearts….our eternities were forever changed by what Christ did on that old rugged cross. Instead of a future of hell, Jesus laid down His life and now we have a future of heaven to look forward to. No matter how hard life gets, because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have a glorious future to look forward to.

Week 2: Challenge:
Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we are no longer slaves to the sins in our lives that so easily entangle us. We now can have God’s forgiveness of our sins, embrace the grace He extends and look forward to our hope of heaven. Despite what is going on around us in this world, we have a bright future to look forward to when we get to heaven. This week focus on what Christ’s crucifixion means to you and how you are going to honor Jesus with the new life, the second chance,  you have been given. Write it out and share it with your group or a friend.

Week 2: Memory Verse

http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/ 

Good Morning Girls Devotional: Why Easter Matters: Week 1 Memory Verse, Challenge and Video

{Week 1} Challenge: Make a list of things in your life that you’re tempted to rely on other than Jesus. Every day this week take time to pray over your list, asking God to help you place your full dependence and trust in Christ alone.

                                                    Memory Verse:

Here is the link to the official Good Morning Girls blog and page for resources for this study:

http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2014/03/easter-matters-materials-checklist/ 

Wishing you all a blessed week! 
Yours In Christ,
Linda