No matter how much I love making things from scratch, there's nothing like the good 'ol box mixes. Something about that artificial, overly sweet, disaster-free cakey ness just really does it.
I used the Pillsbury Funfetti Brownie mix and added in 1 packet of chopped Twix bars...it was divine!
Today marked the start of a new chapter of learning about God's Word. With the Reality downtown women, we are launching a new inductive Bible study and I'm super excited. I know God has awesome plans for all of us, and I'm so excited to grow. Just today, I learned things I never before knew, and realized how much I really DON'T know about the Bible yet.
Key things from today:
Bible Basics
- the Bible is the full counsel of God
- it is the cannon of Scripture: God-inspired and accepted as being divinely inspired
- it is made of 66 books and was written in 3 languages (Hebrews, Greek, Aramaic) in a span of 1500 years by 40+ authors.
- It is inerrant- without error
Tips on studying the Bible
- read the Children's Bibles for better general understanding of the Old Testament
- be a "rabbit trailer" meaning: use the concordance to cross-reference when you are studying a passage.
"The best way to find out about God's Word is to read His Word"
- www.blueletterbible.org is a great resource for cross-references.
- Daily Audio Bible is also a good resource for short daily Bible verses.
- Commentaries (by Bible scholars, etc) are great as long as you keep in mind that these are humans. Ultimately, they are their opinions and you can't take it as God's Holy words.
- In terms of daily reading, you should always journal.
- Answer these 3 things:
- 1) What do I learn about God?
- 2) What do I learn about myself?
- 3) How can I apply this to my life TODAY
"For every life decision, make sure you get a scripture that confirms it."
I never thought to do this, but it makes total sense, because God is ultimately in control. He gave us his annointed Word, a love letter directly from Him, and we can look there for guidance and advice when we have tough decisions ahead.
"We can't trust our desires, we are too fleshy. Once we develop a close relationship with God, what He desires becomes what we desire."
Jews vs. Gentiles
- Jews are a small population, known as "God's chosen people"
- Israel was strategically planned to be their home because it is the center of everything.
- Gentiles: see Genesis 12:1-3
- It started with Abraham, and all the promises that were made to Jews are made to all of us too.
The three covenants (YEA I had no idea what this was before today):
1. Abrahamic covenant: between Abraham and God. These promises are for all nations.
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. {Genesis 15:6}
2. Old Covenant: between God and Moses/Israel. It is based on the Law. God gave Moses the 10 commandments, but they aren't just for Israel, it is for all of us.
3. New Covenant: for all believers, it is between God and man because of Jesus. Puts the law on our hearts.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. {Ezekiel 36:26}
In a nutshell:
Under the old convenant, our inheritance is based on the Law
Under the new covenant, our inheritance is based on Jesus Christ.
Bible verse of the day:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My stop-worrying checklist (do these things when I get stressed!)
1) Rejoice always- we are way better off than we realize or think
2) Remember that the Lord is in control
3) Pray & give thanks- plead to God, showing him that you completely surrender
4) Find and rest in His peace
Days that you discover God, calls for an appreciation for his beautiful, breathtaking creation. Here goes...Remember to breathe....the pictures don't do it justice
