• Home
  • Blog
  • Prayer
    • Examen
    • Fasting
    • Sacred Reading
    • Self-denial
    • Silence & Solitude
    • The Sacred Everyday
  • Bible Studies
    • To Do-ers List
    • 1 Thessalonians: A Life of Faith
    • Scripture Art Journaling
    • Online Bible Study
    • Walking WIth God: A Bible Study on the Book of Ruth
    • Short & Sweet
    • Daily Bible Studies
    • Take 5!
    • Bible Journal-graphics
    • Scripturegraphics
    • Faith & Fit
    • Free One-Week Workout!
    • Guides
  • Podcasts
    • Reflections
    • ihear
    • i pray
    • Walking in Truth
    • Topical podcasts
  • About Us
    • About Jane
    • About Mary
  • The Way to God
  • Contact Jane and Mary

Short & Sweet: Bitterness or Betterness?

January 18, 2016 by MaryK Leave a Comment

2fbad png

Bitterness or Betterness?

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”

Matthew 12:34b-35

 

When I was little, I was fascinated by treasure and treasure maps. I loved reading books about buried fortunes (Nancy Drew and The Quest of the Missing Map was a favorite). How exciting to follow a parchment map to the foot of a tree, and with spade in hand unearth a treasure.

Buried. Beautiful. Valuable.

  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Bible Studies, Short & Sweet Tagged With: Bible study, bitter, bitterness or betterness, quick devotion, Short & sweet Bible study, short Bible studies

Take 5!: 5 Minutes to a Better Life

January 14, 2016 by MaryK Leave a Comment

Take 5! New jpeg

 Take 5!

5 Verses, 5 Questions, 5 Minutes

Before we start our study time today, please take a minute and go before our Lord in prayer.

.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For
“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:8-12

In verses 8-9, we are given several commands. Which is the hardest for you?

I must confess, at times I have trouble with all of them. My biggest challenge, however, is in verse 9 not returning reviling for reviling (insult for insult). Instead of repaying insult with insult, we are to repay insult with blessing. I imagine this practice would bring a quick end to most arguments. Though I have been a Christian for many years, I have never employed this technique, nor have I ever heard anyone else. Dare we give it a try? Consider the following conversation:
“You are a stubborn, opinionated woman!”
“Oh, yeah? Well, you are a hard-working, caring man and I appreciate you.”
Blessing for insult.

 .

What happens as a result of returning blessing for insult (vs. 9)?

God’s word says we will receive a blessing. We will also spare ourselves the angst of a long drawn out argument.
 .

Besides speaking blessings to those who insult us, how else might we bless them?

We could do something kind or pray for those who hate us.  (Confession #2: I have often heard people say, it’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for. I struggle with this. Sigh.)
 .

If we want to have a better life (who doesn’t?) and see good days, what must we do (10-12)?

Do you need a little help with this blessing for insult thing? God sees you and hears you (vs. 12) so we can cry out to Him in prayer. Ask Him to help you be of one mind, to love others, and to humble yourself and bless others when they insult you.
 .

Is blessing for insult just a suggestion? What does verse 9 say?

I never saw this part of the verse before — it is our CALLING. It is part of who we are and what we do in Christ Jesus. This one is going to be hard, so let me pray for you.
.
Dear Father,
Thank You that because You bless us, You call us to bless others. Help us to stop basing our treatment of others on how they treat us but on how You treat us. We can bless others because we have already been blessed by You. Help us to stop and think before we speak. There is no room for insults in the mouth of a Christ follower. May the words we speak be the words You would speak.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Go out and find someone to bless and you will have a better life.
http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54493_129_D5D820C2A0F89154063869217CF282DC
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2016

Filed Under: Take 5! Tagged With: 1 Peter 3, a better life, good life, quick devotion, short Bible studies

New to prayer? Start here:

Prayer Resources

Prayer Resources

A Little About Mary

Bible study writer. Teacher. Runner. A fan of all four seasons. Loves Jesus. Follow me @MaryKayKane. Read More…

A Little About Jane

Writer. Gardener. Traveling across the country. Certified aromatherapist. Outdoor enthusiast. Follower of Jesus. For more information, follow me on Instagram @JaneVanOsdol. Read More…

Subscribe to Podcast on iTunes

Mary’s Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Jane’s Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Please pray for the the victims and families of the Florida school shooter. Click on this link to see what One Prayer is all about and for information on the current prayer concern.

Only By Prayer Facebook Page

Only by Prayer

Promote Your Page Too
She Speaks Graduate

Search by Topic

Advent Advent devotional Bible Bible study Bible study series Christ Christmas devotion Easter faith following Jesus give thanks God God's Word Grace healing heart Holy Spirit hope Jesus Lent life Lord love online Bible study Only By Prayer peace podcast pray prayer prayers praying purpose quick Bible studies quick Bible Study quick devotions Ruth scripture Short & sweet short Bible studies short Bible study short devotions Thanksgiving walk by faith women's Bible study

Mary’s Twitter Feed

Tweets by marykaykane

Archives

Search:
Christianbook.com

Copyright © 2018 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in