This week’s lesson points out the fact that we are called to pursue holiness not only in mind and spirit, but also in body. All that we do, including eating and drinking, should be to the glory of God. If we pursue an indulgent or lazy attitude toward our body it will become difficult to put to death the other sinful deeds of the body.
We are also reminded that materialism is a key ingredient in this struggle. Materialism leads to discontentment and envy and may result in pampering and indulgence so that we become soft and lazy. We are cautioned that “there is no place for laziness and indulgence of the body in a disciplined pursuit of holiness.”
Limiting our exposure to those things that temp us and learning what triggers our sinful desires are key steps in disciplining our bodies. How will you apply these tools in your own life? Comments on Chapter 11 will be accepted through August 4, 2008. We will cover Chapter 12 during the week of August 5 - 11. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness - Chapter Ten
As we continue pursuing holiness, we learn the value of personal discipline. Bridges reminds us that as believers we must train minds, bodies, and spirits to be holy just as athletes train or discipline their bodies to be in good physical shape. We know that Paul used this analogy in much of his writing.
This chapter reminds us that discipline begins with studying God's Word. He writes, "We must all arrange our schedules to provide for this daily intake of the Word of God." There are 4 categories of Bible intake: 1) hearing the Word; 2) reading the Bible; 3) studying the Scriptures; and 4) memoring key passages.
How have you found time in your busy schedule for God's Word? How has it helped in your pursuit of holiness? What encouragement can you offer other women who struggle to make a daily appointment with God?
We'll accept comments for Chapter 10 through July 28. We will cover Chapter 11 during the week of July 29 - August 4. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
This chapter reminds us that discipline begins with studying God's Word. He writes, "We must all arrange our schedules to provide for this daily intake of the Word of God." There are 4 categories of Bible intake: 1) hearing the Word; 2) reading the Bible; 3) studying the Scriptures; and 4) memoring key passages.
How have you found time in your busy schedule for God's Word? How has it helped in your pursuit of holiness? What encouragement can you offer other women who struggle to make a daily appointment with God?
We'll accept comments for Chapter 10 through July 28. We will cover Chapter 11 during the week of July 29 - August 4. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness -- Chapter 9
Chapter 9, Putting Sin to Death, points out that it is our responsibility to “destroy the strength and vitality of sin as it tries to reign in our bodies.” We are reminded that this can only be accomplished through the strengthening and direction of the Holy Spirit.
There are two key requirements that must be met as we work at the task of destroying the strength and vitality of sin in our lives. We must first have conviction in specific areas of our lives as well as to live a holy life. Spending time in God’s Word is a key element in this process. We must also be committed to holiness. We must “make it our aim not to sin.”
How has this chapter challenged you in your daily walk? How will you apply what you have learned? We'll accept comments for Chapter 9 through July 21. We will cover Chapter 10 during the week of July 22 - 28. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
There are two key requirements that must be met as we work at the task of destroying the strength and vitality of sin in our lives. We must first have conviction in specific areas of our lives as well as to live a holy life. Spending time in God’s Word is a key element in this process. We must also be committed to holiness. We must “make it our aim not to sin.”
How has this chapter challenged you in your daily walk? How will you apply what you have learned? We'll accept comments for Chapter 9 through July 21. We will cover Chapter 10 during the week of July 22 - 28. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness – Chapters 7 & 8
We are almost to the midway point in our summer study of The Pursuit of Holiness. We are reminded this week in Chapter 7 that Christians are delivered from sin, united with Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit for help in our daily battle against sin.
In Chapter 8 we learn when a believer sins it is by choice; we have the ability to say no to the temptation to sin. Bridges closes this chapter by stating that “only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God’s provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.”
How have these chapters challenged you in your daily walk? How will you apply what you have learned? We'll accept comments for these chapters through July 14. We will cover Chapter 9 during the week of July 15 - 21. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
In Chapter 8 we learn when a believer sins it is by choice; we have the ability to say no to the temptation to sin. Bridges closes this chapter by stating that “only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God’s provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.”
How have these chapters challenged you in your daily walk? How will you apply what you have learned? We'll accept comments for these chapters through July 14. We will cover Chapter 9 during the week of July 15 - 21. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Pursuit of Holiness – Chapters 5 & 6
This week, in Lesson 5, we are challenged to think about God's provision and our responsibility concerning holiness. Chapter 5 of The Pursuit of Holiness reminds us that Christ's atoning death has set believers free from the reign and rule of sin. In this way, God provided the protential to resist sin. To pursue holiness is our personal responsibility.
In Chapter 6 we delve into the believer's continued struggle with sin. As Bridges wrote, "We have an implacable enemy of righteousness right in our own hearts."
How do you guard your heart? How do you pursue holiness knowing that oftentimes the enemy is within? These are the questions we face in this week's Pursuit of Holiness.
We'd love to hear your thoughts as you follow along with us on our summer blog. As always, please keep your comments in line with the discussion thread.
We'll accept comments for this chapter through July 7. We will cover Chapters 7 and 8 during the week of July 8-14. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
In Chapter 6 we delve into the believer's continued struggle with sin. As Bridges wrote, "We have an implacable enemy of righteousness right in our own hearts."
How do you guard your heart? How do you pursue holiness knowing that oftentimes the enemy is within? These are the questions we face in this week's Pursuit of Holiness.
We'd love to hear your thoughts as you follow along with us on our summer blog. As always, please keep your comments in line with the discussion thread.
We'll accept comments for this chapter through July 7. We will cover Chapters 7 and 8 during the week of July 8-14. We look forward to reading about your thoughts and insights.
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