TBS #22 - Understanding the Wicked

GIRLS ONLY
Weekly Bible Study

TBS #27
Sent out via E-mail to those who request it every Tuesday

The purpose of these weekly Bible Studies are to grow you closer to God. To know God is to love God, to love God is to obey Him, and to obey Him is to become more Christ-like. Before you begin, give yourself time and quiet. Have your Bible with you, and make sure you pray before and after each Bible Study.

Merry CHRIST-mas

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS...



Hey girls! This Christmas break -- don't look at this holiday as you have in the past. Really. This isn't a Hallmark occasion, marked by rushing for gifts you feel obligated to give and glittery cards that only get trashed later on. This isn't about admiring colored lights or putting on an extra few smiles per day. It's not about big meals or seeing family you usually don't see. It's not about Santa Claus or reindeers or children looking a bit more rosy-cheeked than usual. It's not about snow or snowmen. It's not about songs, or a different sound on the radio. It's not about hearing Jesus' name a bit more frequently, it's not about special services at church or even increased attendance at church. It's not candles or snowflakes or ornaments or big sales or parking spots or cookies or presents or Visa bills or sweaters or carols or any of that. Even the phrase "Remember the Reason for the Season" is overused. For some of you, this may be your first Christmas as a Christian. It's my second Christmas. What an amazing opportunity this time of year presents to witness someone. Does any one send out e-cards for Christmas? Or that mass e-mail wishing everyone a "happy holiday" (to be politically correct, of course -- since politics are more important than faith, nowadays). Check out www.needgod.com and consider putting it in at the end -- plant a seed. God wrapped our injured flesh around Him over 2000 years ago this Christmas. He became man -- s0 that He could endure all that this human life brings. Because Christ was born on Christmas, we can't look to the heavens and say "How could you tell us to do these things? You don't know what it's like!! You don't know how hard it is!" He endured temptations. He stepped down from His glorious throne in Heaven, and was born so poor onto a pile of hay, surrounded by farm animals because one of us -- a human -- wouldn't allow a pregnant woman to come in from the cold of night and maybe even lay on the floor of his inn (Luke 2:7). How do you welcome the King of Kings into our world tonight? Do you prepare a room for Him in your heart -- or being already Christian, do you help lead others to welcome Him into theirs? Those of you who have been Christian for years and years may read the first two chapters of Luke over and over again at the end of every year. Don't let it become just a story to you -- there are those who have been Christian for 80 years, and God STILL reveals new things to them everytime they read His Word. You can never ever learn in this lifetime "all there is to know". But I don't want to focus on Luke Chapters 1-2 today -- though I recommend you read it slowly again, no matter how many times you have. There are so many little things to notice and think about, and you can't do it by reading through it quickly. Here's a new one -- this Sunday, I worshipped at a church in Toronto called People's Church. Very good church, with a man of God named Charles Price as their pastor. Here's the birth story like you've never heard it before. Pray now. Slowly read John 1:1-14 in the perspective of Christ's birth. Pay attention to verses 10-11, and verse 14. "The Word" that John is speaking about is Jesus. Jesus was with God before the world was even created. Through Christ, the world was made, including all of its inhabitants. Through Christ, all life was made -- and today, through Christ, new life is given. I'm talking about that "second birth" that Jesus tells Nicodemus about in John 3:1-21 (read it). He made this world, and yet His own creation didn't accept Him!! Think of it this way: you are the perfect mother. You have NEVER done a single thing wrong -- you are the epitome of the perfect mother!! You have many many children -- you give them the world -- everything!! You always raised them right, did the right thing, treated them properly (you didn't spoil them -- you punished them when you needed to so they wouldn't be spoiled). The point: you did everything right. Everything! And they spit in your face. They abuse your gifts and kindness, they try to take advantage of you. They talk bad about you and mock you even to your face. They go to others for help, even though you and they know that you're the best to turn to when they're in need. They slap away your hand when you offer it in help. It's not the best metaphor, but I hope it kinda helps you see. "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He ame to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him." When John writes that the world did not recognize Him, it's not because they couldn't, but because they refused to (read John 3:19-20). Now read John 1:12-13 again. Be a light this CHRISTmas season. Be a light to your family, to your friends -- set an example for those who are your brothers and sisters in Christ, and reflect Christ's light in the lives of those who, as of now, you're not going to see in Heaven. Love unconditionally (love is a verb...an action...not an emotion of feeling). Forgive unconditionally (God forgave you of so much -- what is too great for you to forgive in another person? Read Matthew 18:23-35). Christ truly is the greatest gift ever -- thank God for Him. Pray for witnessing opportunities -- that you may, in turn, give a wonderful gift: a seed planted, that God might grow it and Save the person you witness to. Pray in closing. God bless, and Merry CHRISTmas.