Follow Me Bible Study {Week 2} Be Transformed

Hello Treasures and welcome to Week 2 of the Follow Me Bible Study series with Satisfaction Through Christ.

This week’s Focus

Be transformed.

 

This week’s Scripture Memory

John 15:5 – Vine and Branches Wallpaper

This week in a daily break down

I will share what stood out to me the most from each day (There is a lot of good points throughout the days, from what I have read but I will only share one.  I hope that you will join us on this bible study and share with us what stood out to you, ask questions and/or leave comments.

Day One – United with Christ

What a blessing to be united with Christ, united with a purpose.  We get to unite with Christ and continue the work of God the Father, the work to further the kingdom of God.  United to share and fill earth with God’s love; with joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

~~ “If you’re a Christian, Jesus Christ lives in you and is with you. Moreover, you live in Jesus and are with Him.  That’s what He meant in John 15:4 when He told His disciples to “remain in me, and I will remain in you.”  BY DAVID PLATT, page 42

==TO BE A CHRISTIAN IS TO EXPERIENCE UNITY WITH CHRIST==

Day Two – Jesus  Changes  Everything

Oh boy, Oh boy, does Jesus change everything.  When we truly unite with Christ, we will be changed and transformed.

~~ “First, when we’re united with Christ, He begins to transform our thoughts.  He changes the way we perceive and process information so that, over time, we’re able to think more and more like Him.  Paul wrote about this transformation in 1 Corinthians 2:”

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (VOICE)

12 You must know that we have not received the spirit of this rebellious and broken world but the Spirit that comes from God, so that we may experience and comprehend the gifts that come from God. 13 We do not speak of these gifts of God in words shaped by human wisdom; we speak in words crafted by the Spirit because our collective judgment on spiritual matters is accessible to those who have the Spirit. 14 But a person who denies spiritual realities will not accept the things that come through the Spirit of God; they all sound like foolishness to him. He is incapable of grasping them because they are disseminated, discerned, and valued by the Spirit.

Question

Read 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP)

16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

What does it mean when it says “we have the mind of Christ”?

I like the Amplified Version of this scripture.  It says we do hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of Christ heart! This truth is enough to change us. If we really mediate on this, we will forever be changed. Think about it, we have the mind of Christ and hold thoughts and feelings and purposed of HIS heart! That is life changing. Join me on this life changing study.

David Platt goes onto say that Paul also wrote about the benefits of this transformation.  I love these cartoons from Joyful 'toons and I think this one depicts this well.

==THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BENEFIT OF CHOOSING TO FOLLOW HIM==

Day Three – From Internal to External

There are several sections for each day in the book.

On Day three, my favorite section was JESUS TRANSFORMS OUR RELATIONSHIPS. (This is big for me)

Here is what David Platt has to say,

~~ “As our transformation continues to progress from internal to external,  Jesus impacts more than our individual actions. He also transforms our relationships with others.  Specifically, He gives us the ability to love others as He loves them: (See John 15:12-15)

In this same section He goes on to say,

~~ “As we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us, He transforms our ability to love and relate with others. He enables us to love our neighbors as ourselves (See Matt. 22:39).  As a result, Christians should be distinguishable from the rest of the world because our relationships with one another and with those who still need Christ:

Question

In what ways do you express sacrificial love for those who still need Christ?

 

==YOUR WILL, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, EVEN YOUR ENTIRE PURPOSE FOR LIVING IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AS YOU ABIDE IN JESUS AND AS HE ABIDES IN YOU==

Day Four – Abide in God’s Word

This was full of some wisdom for me. There were a few questions discussed on this day.
David Platt talks about believing the scriptures and believing through the consequences.

~~ "So part of what it means to remain in Jesus is to spend regular time reading the bible, which is His Word.  But we know from James that even the demons have an intellectual awareness of what God has revealed in His Word--and shudder (see Jas. 2:19),
Therefore, Jesus makes it clear that obedience is also part of the equation: 
John 15:9-10
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. (emphasis added), David Platt (page 53)
 

Questions

What part do we play when it comes to remaining in Christ?  What choices do we need to make in order to remain in Him? What actions do we need to take?

 

==BEAR THE FRUIT OF THIS WORD IN THE WORLD, EVEN IF THAT MEANS LOSING EVERYTHING ELSE==

Day Five – Personal Disciple-Making Plan:  Fill Your Mind with Truth
This one had me in tears for personal reasons but good stuff. Great questions to think about and advice on how to plan for filling our minds with truth.

~~ "As you consider a plan for reading, memorizing, and learning God's Word, don't forget that we do these things as disciples not for information's sake but for transformation's sake.  Once again, the words of James are helpful:  "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says" (Jas. 1:22)

As believers in Jesus, we're followers of Jesus , which means that we not only hear the truth of Christ;  we apply the truth of Christ.  Our goal as disciples is never just to believe God's Word;  our goal is to obey God's Word."  David Platt, (page 61)

Question

Are you satisfied or unsatisfied with your current plan for reading God's Word? Why?

No, No, No!!! I am not satisfied with my current reading plan for God's Word. I crave God's Word but it is hard for me to stick to a reading plan for some reason, so I usually just read random scriptures.  After reading this, I am following a reading plan and sticking to it and intentionally filling up my mind with God's Word, God's truth.

==THEREFORE, AS YOU PLAN TO FILL YOUR MIND WITH TRUTH, ALSO PURPOSE TO FOLLOW THE ONE WHO IS TRUTH ==

Thank you for reading. I pray you were blessed.  This book has my attention. Please make sure  to stop by Satisfaction Through Christ’s to read  Christie's discussion on the this week’s reading and also check back with us every Wednesday for the next 4 weeks for the rest of this study.

God bless you and if you have any prayer requests please leave me a comment or send me an email and we will lift up your needs in Jesus name.

SHE...

Hey Treasures, Happy Saturday, I wanted to take Five Minutes of my Saturday and join.

The Prompt this week is SHE and here are my 5 Minutes before I get ready for my GIG's birthday dinner. By the way, today is my Friday. Just kidding meant to do this yesterday.

Start!
She confesses that she still has many fears.  She knows the scriptures, the ones that tell her fear not, there is no fear in love, perfect love drives out all fears.  She knows the promise in Psalm 34:4 that says as she seeks the Lord, He hears her and delivers her from ALL her fears.

Yet she admits she still has fears. She asks God why.  She cries out to be free from the fears. Recently she became aware of her fear of failure which is rooted in a fear of abandonment that started when her dad died when she was just five years old. Oh my, this has really paralyzed her for so long. The other day as the Lord used her to minister His Word, she admitted to a church congregation that she battles with this fear. 

She explained how this fear keeps her from stepping out many times.  When someone battles this fear one just stays in the safe zone.  You don't want to do much because you feel safe that way. If you don't try or step out, there is no risk that you will fail.  When she was prompted to share this and admitted it, she felt no more fear. The guilt and condemnation of this horrible fear was exposed and now that it is exposed, she can work through it.  She shared how hard it was to admit that to them but that she felt much better after doing so.

Sometimes, we may know the answers, we may know the scriptures but it's not enough just to know, we have to live it out, hold on to the promises, make that declaration and believe the Truth. 
The truth that God has delivered me of ALL my fears so I (SHE) no longer has to live in fear. Oh what freedom that brings.
STOP!

PRAISE HIM

Hey Treasures, I am sorry, I didn't get to post my face of the day yesterday. It's been crazy busy but today is Thursday, which thanks to Amanda at A Royal Daughter I know it to be a day to share about your Desire to Inspire.  She usually has a link up but I checked and didn't see it.

I wanted to share with God's lovely treasures, the message that was shared at my family in love's church on Monday.  If you missed that post, you can read HERE.  So these are my notes, just try and hear my speaking. I am going to add in a couple nuggets that I shared as I was speaking. The good stuff that wasn't on my notes but just Holy Spirit inspired. I pray this will bless you.
PRAISE

ISAIAH 12:1-6 (NKJV)
A Hymn of Praise
12 And in that day you will say:
“O Lord, I will praise You;
Though You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’”[a]
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst

I will just go verse by verse using Isaiah 12 (found above)

Verse 1

And in that day you will say:

“O Lord, I will praise You;
Though You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

 

--In this scripture the prophet Isaiah writes "in that day(Possibly referring to the day of salvation?)  you will say, 'O Lord, I will Praise You;' “Praise” in this scripture means “to give public acknowledgement” and/or “to declare aloud in public”,  if you are making a public declaration or acknowledgement then more than likely there will be a gathering you won't be alone. At the time that the book of Isaiah was written, God was angry at the children of Israel, they had continuously worshipped other idols and were rebellious. The prophet Isaiah is prophesying how "in that day"  we will praise the Lord and He will comfort us. Before we may have felt alone or isolated but once the day of salvation comes for us we now we will be gathered together to give PRAISE to the Lord. 

Verse 2

2 Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’”[a]

 

When I read, “I will trust and not be afraid;” This reminded me of Psalm 34:4 which is a scripture that I have been declaring over my life.

PSALM  34:1-6(The Happiness of Those who Trust God)

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.

Here I shared about my fear of failure. I am going to save that for another blog post.

VERSE 3

3 Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation.

With JOY you will draw water (Springs of Living Water)
Well of salvation (Jesus)

JOHN 7:38 NKJV

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

ISAIAH 55:1a  (An invitation of Abundant Life)

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters;”

VERSE 4

And in that day you will say:

“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.

 

In this verse, Call upon His name can also be said as “proclaim in HIS name.”

Here we are NOT ONLY proclaiming-Declaring something publicly, declaring somebody to be something, show what something is-BUT we are doing this is HIS name.

There is power in the name of JESUS and not in the name of Victoria THEREFORE as we praise, call upon, proclaim, declare, publicly speak of what the Lord has done for you and for me, we must do it in HIS name.

We should be declaring our victories publicly, being careful that God gets all the honor and glory, Sharing ALL that God has done for us.

DECLARE that we are victors, more than conquerors, victorious, over comers, free, transformed, royalty. (you fill in here) WHO DOES GOD  SAY YOU ARE??? Start with yourself and then impart that into others.

Then we SHOW others by the way we live.

We make mention which means “to cause to remember”

This verse is urging us to publicly speak out on these things, to verbally express, acknowledge, share and spread the goodness of God. His love, His mercy, His grace.

VERSE 5

Sing to the Lord,

For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.

 

This verse tells us to sing TO the Lord. He has done EXCELLENT things (NOT mistakes, Not accidents, Nothing questionable, or uncertain)

PSALM 5:11(NKJV)

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout (SING) for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name, Be joyful in You.

VERSE 6

Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,

For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst

Cry out and shout OR Shout Loud with Joy (like extra joy)

Shouting out ( Singing out) because the Lord isn’t angry at us,

He is our salvation

Our salvation from captivity (the people of Zion use to be the people in captivity in Babylon)

We are no longer captives but set free in Jesus!

That is worth shouting over;  that is worth singing about.

To close up, let’s recap what we have learned in this chapter 12 of Isaiah.

It is a hymn of praise and we see different ways to give praise.

·        Directly speaking to God (Verse 1)

·        Declaring about God (Verse 2)

·        Drawing near to God (Verse 3)

·        Publicly speaking of God (Verse 4)

·        Directly singing to God (Verse 5)

·        Shouting (SINGING) out loud in joy (Verse 6)

These are some things we can ponder about regarding Praise.

  

1.      Attitude of Praise
2.      A will to Praise
3.      Mentality of Praise
4.      Heart of Praise
5.      Spirit of Praise
6.      Time of Praise

I HOPE YOU GOT SOMETHING FROM THIS. SINCE THESE WERE JUST MY NOTES AND CERTAIN THINGS I DID ELABORATE ON MORE WHILE SPEAKING BUT PRAYING THAT GOD WILL SPEAK TO US. THANKS FOR READING THROUGH. TAKE SOME TIME TO STUDY  ISAIAH 12 AND LET ME KNOW WHAT GOD SHOWS YOU FROM IT.



PEACE AND BLESSINGS,

Oh Work Out Wednesday

Hi Treasures,

I am getting ready to get my work out on. I am still on the Slim in 6 workout video. I have to admit I don't do it every single day.
For example, yesterday I woke up, picked up my nephew at 7:15am to drop him off at school, came home made some breakfast. After making breakfast need to get ready for work.

I work a full time job as a Consumer Relations Supervisor, which calls for a very interesting day sometimes.  After a full day of work, I head straight to the laundry.  Oh my goodness, I really loathe doing laundry. I have to go to a public laundry facility because where we live doesn't have laundry hook ups. I don't go every week or anything but still whenever I do go I am always there for about 2 1/2 hours.  That is 2 1/2 hours of being on my feet: loading the washers, adding bleach, adding fabric softener, then loading them into the dryers PLUS folding.
I am tired just writing about it so anyway, yesterday I got home from the laundry so tired that I just knocked out and didn't get to work out.

Today I am determined to work out. I did pretty good today as far as eating.
Breakfast: I had my Shakeology drink (meal replacement)
Snack:  Boiled Egg
Lunch:  Wendy's berry salad with chicken.
Snack: Half of a baked potato
Dinner:  Tuna Salad (picture and video below)

I had my veggies all cut up nicely and looking pretty for a picture and did a Keek Video (Do you use Keek? If so follow me, MrsAguila09) so I got side tracked and mixed all the veggies in the bowl and didn't take my picture but I am sharing the Keek.

For the Tuna salad I got the idea from my Coach. She is so lovely.  She actually used tomato and broccoli but I am not a big fan of tomato and I bought the broccoli but didn't add it.

The ingredients I used:

Celery, Carrots, Green Onion, Red Sweet Pepper, Serrano Chili Pepper, Cilantro, 2 boiled eggs (ALL CHOPPED) PLUS canned corn, no salt added and Chunk White Albacore Tuna in water.

IMPORTANT: Tuna salad no mayonnaise. This works great for me because I don't like mayo.

 

So here is a video I did of the preparation for my yummy tuna salad. 

Aug 28, 2013 | So I am making a tuna salad today, I will let you how it taste.#salad #cleaneating #fitness #hungry #veggies by MrsAguila09 on Keek.com

  

It's Memorial MonDAY

I work full time so I just love holidays and three day weekends. I love fun, food, and family time. Today was a great day. I hope you also had a great day.

Today serves as a reminder that the freedom we have here in the USA has not come free. We have brave men and women who have paid with their lives for our country, for our freedom. We honor those warriors today and let us remember them, not just today. What a sacrifice our military men and women make. They freely choose to serve our country, to fight for our country and to give their lives for our freedom.  So very thankful for men and women in the military who lay down their lives for our freedom.

I cant help but think about Jesus today as well. He also gave His life so that you and I can have freedom. 

John 8:36 (AMP)

“So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.”

He sets the example for us.

John 15:13 (AMP)

“No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.”

Just as Jesus laid down his life for us and the military men and women lay down their lives for us, we also should do the same. We need to lay aside our own agendas and pray for our military, pray for our nation, pray for our communities, pray for our youth, pray for our families. We also need to go into battle and be warriors, prayer warriors.

1 John 3:16 (NIV)

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
I do realize that I am a day late on this post and I apologize for that. I meant to post this yesterday.

I hope everyone had a blessed weekend and are ready to tackle a new short week.

His Delight (Isaiah 62:3)

Mrs. Victoria Aguila