This is a small group that was following the plan to read through the Bible one chapter at a time with Good Morning Girls. Good Morning Girls is on an indefinite break. But will we continue reading through the Bible.
Each Monday go to the Weekly Reading Plan or the Bible Study Thread for our current book to see the introductory post for the week and the weekly reading passages, discussion questions, and memory verse.
Be sure to come here each day to see what the members of the group are sharing. Try to participate in the discussion with a post at least once each week to share with us what God is teaching you. Posting on the forum helps motivate all of us to keep reading by seeing the others persevering and it provides additional insight and learning.
Each Friday we will attempt to share a Friday Devotional that addresses some of the topics we have read that week.
Please also take time to read the Group Overview post that provides some ideas on how to get the most out of your study here! You can find this post in the the "Bible Study" section of the board.
1 | Bible Study » 2 Samuel » 6/08/2017 9:34 am |
- cochrans
- Replies: 28
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2 Samuel 1
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S Verse 12- And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
O David and his people mourned not only for the fallen king and prince, but also for those who had died from the ranks of Saul's army. This is unusual for it was the same army that had been attempting to capture and kill David. He did not see them as enemies but as members of God's family.
A How often do we look past our enemies imperfections and share their emotions? We often don't...However, as God;s children we are to love them as God loves them. When a foe falls we don't rejoice in their demise...we lift them up, pray for them, help where we can. If we are TRULY GOD's children then we will SHOW that we are his children... in spite of how we're treated. David showed exemplary love.
K Father, I pray that as I grow in this season, you will continue to show your love for others through me. Father, help me to take the plank out of my eye to see my faults before I judge others on their faults. Father, help me to look pass the outside appearance. Father strengthen me as I go out to do your work with ALL of our people,
Much of a Christian’s prayer time consists of praise, confession, petitions and thanksgiving. But God wants us to take our grief, sorrows and pain to him also. He knows of your suffering and losses – He is there for you when you cry. Is there something that is hurting you today? Take it to the Lord in prayer and write your lamentation below.
Father, I'm crying out to you to heal me spiritually. My heart knows what is required and expected but I struggle DAILY with my head. Father, you know what I stand in the need of. Father, you know that my Mother is gravely ill. Father, I know she will get healed either here or with you in heaven. I just ask that you slow my mind
| Bible Study » Psalms » 4/25/2017 11:53 am |
- cochrans
- Replies: 43
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Psalm 59
S: 17: To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises, For God is my defense, My God of mercy.
O: In God, the believer finds strength, defense and mercy. This psalm ends beautifully with bold faith in the living God.
A: When I am weak- I find Strength in God; When I need protection- God ALWAYS has by back (Defense); When I am undeserving- God grants Mercy.
K: Father, thank you for giving me strength to make it from day to day. Father when I feel helpless, too weak to think and fight through this depression you are my defense. Father when my mind wanders to the side of the enemy you don't give up on me...you continue to love me and grant mercy over my life. Father, I will continue to sing praises to your name.
Discussion Question: God was David's fortress even in the middle of his trial while he was still experiencing his trials. How can God be our fortress even while we suffer or are in the middle of a battle?
I keep remembering the verse Deuteronomy 31:6 -Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." I know that no matter what I'm going through God is always with me. He will never put more on me than I can bear. I just have to keep the faith and know that he works on his own time and not mines.
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/23/2017 5:07 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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TBG wrote:cochrans wrote:I’ve been MIA the last few weeks. Please pray for me as I struggle in this spiritual warfare. My heart wants to follow but my mind is struggling…
I do pray for you and will double down on praying for you Cochrans.
Also, maybe don't feel pressure to type out answers, but just read and sit with God and maybe just pop in here and simply say you read that day, and that is all. Or you can simply paste the verse you meditated on. It is more important to spend time with God than typing a dissertation here.cochrans wrote:DQ: What are you afraid today and how can you trust God more?
I’m afraid that I will not measure up to what God expects of me. I still struggle with my faith and Christianity at 52. I truly believe if I can cross this barrier (whatever it is) I can fully understand God’s plan for me and wholeheartedly trust him.
I felt so long like God was trying to get me to a deeper level in my walk. It felt like I was going through birth pangs and that God wanted to birth something new in my life. And it has been a long process of many years. I just now feel like I may be nearing the end of labor.
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I was in that place in college, where I wanted to follow God, but didn't know why I was always so unfaithful. I wrote about the verses that really transformed me and my relationship with God in the "Discussion Question" of this post:
But, remember, none of us will ever measure up. It will not be by your strength, but by God's work in you. You just need to cooperate by changing your priorities to seek Him. I know you have a lot on your plate but this post may help about trying to find time to give more, instead of maybe just resting and meditating instead of studying and effort.
I hope some of this can give you encourageme
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/17/2017 5:43 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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I’ve been MIA the last few weeks. Please pray for me as I struggle in this spiritual warfare. My heart wants to follow but my mind is struggling…
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Only two chapters spoke to me the week of February 6-10.
S: 1 Samuel 22: 14-15 (MSG) Ahimelech answered the king, “There’s no official in your administration as true to you as David, your own son-in-law and captain of your bodyguard. None more honorable either. Do you think that was the first time I prayed with him for God’s guidance? Hardly! But don’t accuse me of any wrongdoing, me or my family. I have no idea what you’re trying to get at with this ‘outlaw’ talk.
O: Ahimelech inadvertently defended David. To hear the loyalty and faithfulness of David defended must have annoyed Saul considerably. Ahimelech made a case for his innocence by declaring his ignorance of the breach that had occurred between Saul and David.
A: Just because someone is your friend’s enemy doesn’t make him your enemy. If you are a Christian, you will pray for both. – That the animosity between the two will be removed.
DQ: What are you afraid today and how can you trust God more?
I’m afraid that I will not measure up to what God expects of me. I still struggle with my faith and Christianity at 52. I truly believe if I can cross this barrier (whatever it is) I can fully understand God’s plan for me and wholeheartedly trust him.
S: 1 Samuel 23: 16-18 (MSG) Jonathan, Saul’s son visited David at Horesh and encouraged him in God. He said, “Don’t despair. My father Saul, can’t lay a hand on you. You will be Israel’s king and I’ll be right at your side to help. And my father knows it.” Then the two of them made a covenant before God. David stayed at Horesh and Jonathan went home.
O: Jonathan always went to David with news regarding his plight with his Father. To visit David, his father
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/05/2017 2:02 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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Michelle wrote:
1 Samuel 20
S: And when the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. (20:24)
O: This was not a normal meal, but a public one after extra sacrifices were made (Numbers 28:11-15). Even though Saul had turned from God, he still kept up the pretense of worship.
A: So often I have looked on people that seem to be super-Christians and envied their walk. They do Bible studies all of the time, they can quote Scripture for every situation, and they always seem to have it all together. Then, as I get to know them, I realize that for some of them, it’s mainly external, that their heart was far from God. And then there are others who quietly go about their lives, who struggle to find time for Bible study and “formal” prayer, but yet have such a sweet, godly spirit, and such a beautiful relationship with the Lord. They have purposed to seek the Lord in the everyday messiness of life.
I like you have learned this the hard way with some of my church members. Totally, devastated me... Now, I just work really hard to work on self. It has made me become a better listener. I pray for these people because I know we ALL are sinners.
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/05/2017 1:57 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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TBG wrote:
1 Samuel 19
Scripture 19:4-5
And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?"
O: David is a source of God’s blessing to Saul and to the nation. David is the tool of God’s salvation from the Philistines. But jealousy turned to hatred. Saul did not even want to receive and rejoice in blessings if he could not be the one who was exalted the highest. This is great pride. Pride was the original sin of Satan; Satan wanted to be worshiped as God.
A: We can’t enjoy God’s blessings if we covet more for ourselves. If we are focused on elevating ourselves, we cannot rejoice in other’s being used by God because we will want glory for ourselves. This guarantees that we will not be used. God will use those who direct the glory to Him.
Christ is the source of our salvation. If you love Christ, you will keep His commands. When we are disobedient to God, we reject His source of salvation, blessing, joy, and deliverance in our lives.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7YES! Amen and Amen! Thank you for this word.
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| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/05/2017 1:54 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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Michelle wrote:
1 Samuel 18
S: As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (18:1).
O: David had just faced Goliath with the same faith and bravery that Jonathan had faced the Philistine army with (1 Samuel 14).
A: Do I find myself drawn to people who live worldly lives or to people who live lives that seek God? When I surround myself with friends who are more concerned with the things of this world, I find my faith taking a backseat. But when I surround myself with friends who are seeking after the Lord my faith and my walk is strengthened.
I totally understand your response. I use to think it was important to be around worldly people. But at the end of the day I was empty. Being around those that are equally yoked is so important to me now. We can build each other up, strengthen our faith and be prepared to reach those that are still in the world. Love your answer. Made me think of how I use to be.
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/05/2017 1:46 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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1 Samuel 18
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My Chapter Overview:
S & O: Verses 6-16; 27-30; When GOD is on your side. Man has no power over you. Saul tried on several occasions to defeat David. Every trick was overturned. Why? David was a man after God's own heart AND David was obedient to God's word.
A: We have to be careful in how we treat and look at others. Every time we wrong others, it comes back tenfold to us.
DQ: Jealousy divides. Do you struggle with jealousy in any of your friendships? - Yes. I have one friendship that I'm intimidated by. Everything just seems to ALWAYS go right. Even when I know some things are not of God in what the person is doing. However, God quickly brings me back to remind me that I don't see the whole picture. This is what helps me retract the green eyes.
1 Samuel 19
S and O: verses 19-24 Ha! Saul just didn't get it. He already seen that David had the Blessing of God on his life. Saul's decaying mental and spiritual state is reflected in his words to his messengers. He feared and hated David so much that he was willing to murder a man lying sick in his bed. Play with God and he'll put something on you! Every time we come with the spirit of the Devil, God counteracts it with HIS holy spirit. MERCY! He made Saul look like a fool...
A: How often have we disliked a person or a situation so bad that we'd do anything in our power to hurt that person or try to turn the situation around to benefit our own agenda? This chapter is the most powerful so far to me. I'm going to play on the words from Michelle Obama - When WE go low - GOD goes HIGH! And wins EVERY TIME!
K: Thank you Lord that I don't test your will; Thank you Lord for placing people who genuinely love me and want to protect me in my life. Thank you Lord for reminding me that no matter how the Devil wants me to hate and be deceitful at times, You counteract EACH
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/04/2017 10:48 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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Samuel 15
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S: MSG: verse 22-23: Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices - empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worst than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said NO to God's command, he says No to your kingship.
O: To obey is better than sacrifice. Samuel emphasized that sincerity and obedience were the requirements to worship that pleased God. Saul's stubborn disobedience was essentially and act of idolatry because it elevated his will above God's will.
A: How often do we put on Godly shows? We can fool people but not GOD! We act like we are following God but behind closed doors we're following our own agendas. (Filled with our own desires) Not what God wants us to do. That's why Leadership is very important. You may think you are a leader but in all actuality GOD needs to call you to that position.
Samuel 16
S: MSG: verse 7: But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."
O: What glitters on the outside isn't gold on the inside. The state of a mans heart was far more significant than natural ability and physical appearance.
A: Do people see God in my heart? Do my actions reflect God?
K: Father, I pray that when people see me, when they talk to me that their discernment will be that I'm your child. I look like you and I act like you. That is my prayer. Amen.
Samuel 17
S: MSG: 45-47 - [color=#000000]David answered, “You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of [/c
| Bible Study » 1 Samuel » 2/04/2017 10:00 pm |
- cochrans
- Replies: 133
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TBG wrote:
1 Samuel 15
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Scripture
15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.
O: I see two points. (1) They saved the best for themselves. (2) They coveted what was God’s, what belonged to God and what was owed God.
A:
(1) We save the best for ourselves: the best energy, time, money, things and give God our left overs.
I need to wake up and think first of God’s agenda and stop letting my desires fill my heart and my thoughts. I need to pursue His agenda without division or distraction.
Now, I do want to add that some of you are probably emotionally and physically exhausted with what is on your plate. And if you don’t find time with God, it may not be because you are not giving Him your best, but just because you have so much on your plate that you are empty and have nothing left to emotionally and energy wise. Maybe you are not just wasting time on TV or the Internet, but are just so tapped out you have nothing left to give and need to veg out.
First, remember, there is not condemnation for those who are in Christ Romans 8:1. There is a difference between conviction and condemnation.
Condemnation is from the enemy. Remember, works are not the goal, they are the outcome. Jesus paid all the penalty for our failures. Conviction is God showing us what we need to change or what is unpleasing to Him so we can repent. But we are not condemned, we are saved, loved and forgiven by the blood of Christ and loved so much that while we were God’s enemy He loved us, pursued us and died for us.
Now, maybe instead of vegging out, you need to be filled up. You are empty by the end of the day and maybe instead of giving more you need to seek being filled back up. Som