STEADFAST AND UNMOVABLE – Week 5

Posted on 09/13/2020 by Kim Teamer

A Phone Tree Bible Study – Assignment 5

Position Yourself: Psalm 107:14-19

Pore Over and Paraphrase the Material: The LORD will always show up when we earnestly and honestly call out to Him. He is faithful. When He is present in our lives and in our circumstances, things change for the better. That which is dark, that which is bound, and that which is burdensome will be dealt with, without question. Our praise for Him should erupt and explode forth from the very depths of our souls. We should consider who He is and acknowledge all the mighty works of His hands…in our lives and in the lives of all humankind. We should neither be foolish or rebellious where the LORD is concerned, nor should we be carried away by our sinful natures. We must call out to the LORD and make Him aware of our great need for Him. He will save those who want to be saved. He is the Savior who saves.

Pull Out the Spiritual Points:

– Grasp the fact that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Understand what that means, and understand how that omni nature can and does impact your life.

– Be as faithful to God and He is to you.

– Believe that God will bring His light into every ounce of darkness that exists in your life. Do not waver in your thinking.

– Praise God in every possible way! Look around you and appreciate what He has done for you and for everyone you care about.

– Do not go back into the pit that God has lifted you out of. Do not venture back into the prison that He freed you from. Do not bind yourself with chains that the LORD has already demolished. Be free. Live free. Fully and completely know the holy salvation and deliverance that God wants you to experience.

Pose Your Questions:

– Have I wholly known God’s omni nature? What can I do to better understand what that means?

– How does God show His faithfulness to me? How do I show my faithfulness to Him?

– Have I tried to “hide in the dark,” all while saying I live in the Light of the LORD? (Translation: Do I talk the talk and walk the walk of a true Christian disciple, or am I just making noise?)

– Do I shift between believing God and not believing God? In other words, do I change gears when it comes to trusting the LORD? If so, why, and what does that say about my heart toward Him?

– Do I live a life of complete surrender before the LORD? Do I allow myself to be free?

– What are the things that presently bind me, and what is keeping me from trusting the LORD with them?

Plan Obedience and Pin a Date:

1) This week, spend some time reading Psalm 107:20-32. In fact, read these verses daily. On each day, write down how the words in this section speak to your heart. Do not try to do the 5P approach necessarily. Allow the purity of your heart response to guide you, as you engage in a holy unveiling of your true feelings.

2) Pray without ceasing.

3) Write down the scripture memory verses at least once during the week. They are verses 28-30.

4) Proceed to Week 4, if you have a copy of Steadfast Love. Week 4 is entitled FOLLY.

5) Phone a couple of friends or family members, and remind them of who God is and who He can be in their lives.

6) Study the following lyrics by Lexi from her song In the Room:

“Completely
I’m unmistakably broken
Little bit here, little bit there
Pieces scattered everywhere
Hopeless, sick in the heart
Battered, bruised, scared to move, afraid of the dark
Out of nowhere You, You come into view
Darkness has to back up. What else could it do?

You are the, You are the light
And You’re never going out
Never never going out
Everything changes, when You’re in the room
Heart gets better, pieces come together
I can see forever
When You’re in the room

As I recall, chains fall
Praise comes breaking through
When You’re in the room my hands go up
And I think about where I’ve been
Cause every time I let You in, Lord it’s a win
So when You’re in the room, don’t leave
Cause I love Your company
Feels like heaven here with You
When You’re in the room…”

7) Share your thoughts and comments.

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Steadfast Love: A Study of Psalm 107 by Lauren Chandler

Week 3 Memorable Quotes:

“Apart from Jesus, we are the walking dead. We look alive [,] but we are trudging through life, driven by primitive appetites. We want what we want when we want it…We are chained to the desire for false anchors and broken wells.”
“Just because some of us have accepted Jesus’ rescue doesn’t mean we don’t try to put those chains right back on.”
“He [God] delights to shine light on our chains so that we may break free.”
“When we are hurt, hooked, or hung up and trying our hardest to exert control, we are essentially believing that we are higher than God. Our hearts are exalting ourselves above Him.”
“It is loving and merciful of God to put us in our place because we wreck it all.”
“Sometimes it takes rock bottom for us to finally look up for rescue.”
“For those who have not trusted Christ as their Savior, there is only darkness.”

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May God bless you on your spiritual journey.

#awaken

Let us study the Word of God. Let us grow in grace and knowledge. Let us be transformed by the love of the LORD.

STEADFAST AND UNMOVABLE – WEEK 4

Posted on 09/06/2020 by Kim Teamer

A Phone Tree Bible Study – Assignment 4

POSITION YOURSELF: Psalm 107:7-13

PORE OVER AND PARAPHRASE THE MATERIAL: There is a way that seems right to a man, but the only true and righteous way is the path that leads to the LORD. The LORD will guide those who are willing to accept His instruction. Praise the LORD for His steadfast, unconditional love! Thank Him for His heart toward you. Appreciate Him for the many blessings He extends to you. Know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He alone satisfies and fills those who are longing. He alone brings His beautiful Light into the lives of His children. He is the God who saves. To those who rebel against His instruction and who reject His counsel, He will humble you. Even then, however, there is hope; He will answer when He is called.

PULL OUT THE SPIRITUAL POINTS:

– The direction you should be traveling in should lead you to God. Any other path that is not headed toward Him is not the one you want to be on.

– A holy roadmap has been put into place to lead you to the LORD. Jesus is the way.

– Let no step be taken without praise for the LORD on your lips. As an act of worship, offer Him your pure praise.

– Understand that if there is a need or a longing inside of you, only God can address it in the way that it needs to be. He alone fills that void.

– Know that there is no place or condition that the LORD cannot handle. Grasp the fact that you are not unreachable. He sees you. He hears you. He can save you.

Be humble before the LORD.

POSE YOUR QUESTIONS:

– Where is my life headed?

– What do I presently do that let’s me know that I am moving toward God? What am I doing that let’s me know that I am headed away from God?

– Do I know how to “read” the holy roadmap? What am I doing to get a better understanding? Also, what are the “signposts” in the Bible saying, and where does Jesus fit into it?

– How has my worship and praise to God changed?

– Is something missing from my life? If so, what is it?

– Do I trust God to be my Deliverer?

– Am I willing to fall for God or to fall for the substitutes?

– Do I esteem God higher than I esteem myself?

– At what level is my faith? Is it low, high or completely gone?

PLAN OBEDIENCE AND PIN A DATE:

1) Proceed to Psalm 107:14-19. Make your 5P notations on day 1 or 2, then reflect on those notations each day this week. (Spiritual Fitness Challenge: Consider referring to the following Bible translations, as you read and study your assigned Scriptures: The Message, The Passion Translation, and The Voice. Definitely, read your favorite translation, just as you normally would.)

2) Pray. Try to be even more specific and detailed, as you communicate with the LORD.

3) Write down your daily reflections. Consider how these particular verses relate to your life.

4) Continue the scripture memorization process. Spend some time digesting verses 14, 15, and 19.

5) If you have a copy of Steadfast Love, please continue on with Week Three, which is entitled CHAINS.

6) Share the Gospel. Let the people in your sphere of influence know about who the LORD is and how He offers salvation and deliverance to all.

7) Share your thoughts and comments.

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Steadfast Love: A Study of Psalm 107 by Lauren Chandler

Week 2 Memorable Quotes:

“We all have our share of seasons in the desert.”
“Although David felt forgotten, nearly rejected, stricken, and oppressed, he remembered what would anchor him despite the desert.”
“There is a difference between complaining and lamenting…The complainer seeks comfort while the lamenter seeks the Comforter.”
“Seasons in the desert reveal our wells and anchors – the things in which we find sustenance and stability.”
“Our broken wells will become our prisons…Our false anchors will fail.”
“In His steadfast love, the Lord leads us into the desert, the wilderness, to free us from our faulty wells and anchors.”
“Seasons in the desert are often used by God to prepare us to bear fruit. He humbles us before the harvest so that we know it’s His power and glory, not ours.”

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May God bless you on your spiritual journey.

#awaken

Let us study the Word of God. Let us grow in grace and knowledge. Let us be transformed by the love of the LORD.

STEADFAST AND UNMOVABLE – Week 3

Posted on 08/30/2020 by Kim Teamer

A Phone Tree Bible Study – Assignment 3

POSITION YOURSELF: Psalm 107:1-6

PORE OVER AND PARAPHRASE THE MATERIAL: Let those who have breath praise the LORD! Shout out and proclaim all that the LORD has done. Passionately erupt with your praise for Him. Celebrate Him, and remember what He has brought you through and delivered you from. Believe that the LORD will rescue you every time. Know, without question, that He will save you. Call to Him. Express your gratitude and give thanks to the Savior for His deliverance.

PULL OUT THE SPIRITUAL POINTS:

– Not a day should go by without you connecting with God by way of your praise.

– Never forget how much the LORD loves you.

– Appreciate that God’s unending mercy, His ever present loving-kindness, and His unwavering faithfulness are bigger and greater than you can imagine. Know that He extends that and more to you.

– Understand that you do not have to be a spiritual nomad, wandering and lost. You don’t have to exist in a state of brokenness or hopelessness. Grasp the fact that the LORD is a Savior and a Deliverer.

– Don’t hold back your applause of praise. Tell everyone about the God who saves and about the God who saved you.

POSE YOUR QUESTIONS:

– Do I make attempts to connect with God on a daily basis?

– Are the praise and prayer renderings that I make to God the same day in and day out? If so, why?

– Has my relationship with the LORD become stale or comfortable?

– Has my approach to God become dry and irreverent?

– Do I go to the LORD with more I wants or with more thanksgiving?

– Do I feel worthy of receiving God’s love…and forgiveness?

– Do I try to apply earthly logic or worldly wisdom to God’s mercy and grace?

– Do I have a lack of understanding when it comes to God’s faithfulness? (Spiritual Fitness Challenge: Study the Scriptures to see examples of God’s faithfulness. Start with a review of Genesis in the Old Testament and proceed toward Acts in the New Testament.)

– Do I focus more so on the areas of my life that are going “wrong,” or do I focus more so on the God who does all things well?

– Do I dwell on past issues that God has previously delivered me from? If so, why do I revisit those things?

– Do I truly believe that God has saved me or that I can be saved?

– Is there anything or anyone that holds me back from praising God?

– When was the last time I publicly praised God or shared His message of salvation?

PLAN OBEDIENCE AND PIN A DATE:

1) Proceed to Psalm 107:7-13 and make your 5P notations.

2) Remember to pray before, during and after your study time.

3) Reflect on what you learn along the way.

4) Continue the scripture memorization process. Read, rehearse, and regurgitate verses 8, 9, and 13.

5) If you have a copy of Steadfast Love, please continue on with Week Two. It is entitled THE DESERT.

6) Spread the Good News of the Gospel with someone.

7) Feel free to share your thoughts on what you have learned from Psalm 107:1-6. The comment section of this post is open.

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Steadfast Love: A Study of Psalm 107 by Lauren Chandler

Week 1 Memorable Quotes:

“God is here, ready and waiting for us.”
“… if we’re breathing, we’re worshiping.”
“In our broken worship, we tie our hope to false anchors…”
“… see, cling to, and confide in the true Anchor – the God of steadfast love.”
“Do not be dismayed…he [Satan] has been defeated, and no matter the schemes he designs for you, the Lord can turn it for your good.”

–

May God bless you on your spiritual journey.

#awaken

Let us study the Word of God. Let us grow in grace and knowledge. Let us be transformed by the love of the LORD.

***Find this Bible study and others at Lifeway.com.***

STEADFAST AND UNMOVABLE – Week 2

Posted on 08/23/2020 by Kim Teamer

A Phone Tree Bible Study – Assignment 2

Welcome back!

As we begin to take our first formal steps into studying Psalm 107 and Steadfast Love, I would like to start by introducing you to the 5P Method of Bible Study. It is the study method that will be used to help us study the Bible. It was the brainchild of Priscilla Shirer. It can be summed up as follows:

The “5 P’s” of Bible Study at a Glance:

Position yourself.
Pore over and paraphrase the material.
Pull out the points.
Pose your questions.
Plan obedience and pin a date.

The 5P’s are detailed in a book by Priscilla Shirer called Can We Talk? Soul-stirring Conversations with God.

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At the beginning of each week of our study, I will post a 5P message. I will also highlight some of the takeaways from Steadfast Love. Your special assignment or assignments for the week will be indicated, so that you know what you should be working on in your personal study time.

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Assignment 2:

1) Pray and invite God to take the lead with your Bible study.

2) Refer to The Phone Tree Bible Study Group’s 5P example called CAN WE TALK?…What’s in Your Travel Bag? Familiarize yourself with the method.

3) Go back and read Psalm 107. Place special emphasis on verses 1-6. (You may begin using the 5Ps, if you feel comfortable. If you prefer to wait for next week’s example, please know that it would be fine.)

4) Utilize the Steadfast Love sample, in order to dig in to the first week’s lesson. It is entitled A CALL TO WORSHIP. (Notice that there are assignments for 5-days of the week.)

5) Begin the scripture memorization process. Lock in verses 1, 2, and 6.

God bless you all.

#awaken

Let us study the Word of God. Let us grow in grace and knowledge. Let us be transformed by the love of the LORD.

Food for Thought…Chasing Vines

Posted on 07/06/2020 by Kim Teamer

This is a Phone Tree Bible Study Group Book Club selection.

The Prayer of the Faith-filled Disciple vs the Ever-Forgetful Prodigal

Posted on 07/19/2019 by Kim Teamer

The very nature of man in his most spiritual self versus his most carnal self is vastly different. The spiritual man approaches life with an unwavering belief in the presence, power, and provision of God, while the carnal man relies on and trusts in the merits of self and in the sporadic generosity of others.

Instructions: Read the following prayers. Notice how each is worded. What is your takeaway?

The Prayer of the Faith-filled Disciple:

Father,

What a great and awesome God you are! You are truly worthy to be praised. You are the very essence of love itself. You are and You always have been and will forever be LORD. You reign with full power and total authority, pouring grace and mercy over the entirety of existence. Thank You. May You be glorified and honored by all. I trust You to lead and direct my life and to steer me in the direction You would have me to go. Through You, I trust that the impossible can, indeed, be possible. Even when I cannot see what’s to come, I know that you are already there with the answer of deliverance. You are already there, writing the final resolution. All praises to You!

In the name of Jesus, I offer up this prayer, trusting that Your will will most certainly be done. Amen.

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The Prayer of the Ever-Forgetful Prodigal:

Lord,

Are You there? Can You hear me? Do You see me? Do You know what I’m going through? I feel so alone. I feel like the whole world is against me. I can’t win. I’m just so tired of things not going my way. When can I move forward with my plans. I don’t want much. I just want to have a little bit more, so I don’t have to struggle. If I could just do better than him, I’d be alright. If You would just do this one thing for me, I’ll be more dedicated. I know I messed up last time, but this time will be different. I’ve changed. I’m sorry I wasted what You gave me. It wasn’t my fault really. I thought I could handle myself. If I wasn’t trying to keep up with the crowd, I would have been ok. It was really on them. I wasn’t thinking properly. I know You’ll do what You have to, but I’m just wanting a blessing in a big way.

Amen.

Scripture Study: Matthew 6:9-13

Suggested Reading: The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis