Praise

This has been a year of difficulty. Difficult family situations. Difficult health issues. But through all the difficulty, all the trials, all the sorrow, God has been so good. Being able to experience joy in the sorrow has been a blessing.

Brad and I knew we were entering into this phase of trial. We expected and prepared for the worst. We've experienced misunderstanding. We've experienced anger and tears. We prayed. We tried to handle each and every situation to the best of our ability. We are not perfect. We did not do all things right. Looking back, there are things we could have done better. But we did try our best.

I have been praying. Praying for healing. Not just for our immediate family, but for the extended members as well. For me it has not been as difficult, because it is not my parents, sister, or family friend. At 10 years, I am the newest member of the family, I came in at the end. I saw and experienced some of the pain, but most had already occurred. By the time I joined the family, they were already well down this path. My position has been to be supportive of my husband. I am so proud of how he has handled and led our family through this situation.

I praise God today because I can see a small light ahead. Even though it has been difficult and hard for everyone involved, I know everyone has done their best to still love. We have been in the middle for so long. But today we get to look back on this situation, instead of being in this situation. It is a new place, we have just begun this place, but we have begun. Healing has begun. A healthy healing.

There are still many obstacles, hurdles, painful moments that lie ahead. I know Satan does not want to see us reconciled. I know he will do all he can to thwart God's plans. I will continue to pray. But God is working in all the hearts in this family. I can see Him at work. I know if God is with us nothing can stand against! That is reason to praise!!!

John Lesson 1

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31

Key word - Believe

Why do we need to believe? So that we may have LIFE in his name.

Not any life, an abundant life that begins the minute we believe.

What does it mean to believe?

Here is the definition from Noah Webster's 1828 edition of the dictionary.

Belief: n. 1. A persuasion of the truth, or an asent of mind to the truth of a declaration, proposition or alledged fact, on the ground of evidence, distinct from personal knowledge; as the belief of the gospel; belief of a witness. Belief is opposed to knowledge and science.

Believe: v.t. to credit upon the authority or testimony of another; (the testimony of John , authority given to him by Jesus Himself. It is the same authority given to us when we choose to believe!) to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity. When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusion upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience. 2. To expect or hope with confidence; to trust.

Believe: v. i. To have a firm persuasion of any thing. In some cases, to have full persuasion, approaching to certainty; in others, more doubt is implied. (This is see in the Gospel of John, many do believe, but those who should believe, those who knew the scripture, chose to doubt) It is often followed by in or on, especially in the scriptures. To believe in, is to hold as the object of faith. To believe on, is to trust, to place full confidence in, to rest upon with faith. But there is no ground for distinction.

What does the key word "believe" mean in John's Gospel? How is belief more than just agreeing with the facts or doctrine? (Lesson 1 Question 4)

It is more than personal knowledge. It is a conviction with in your heart. Because of the Bible, because of Jesus' veracity, because of the testimony of so many lives changed by Jesus recorded in this book, I BELIEVE, I am firmly persuaded, I am CERTAIN, with out doubt, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and I can rest, I can trust, I can hope with confidence upon His strength, His rightness, His holiness, His perfectness, His ability, ....not my own!!! And by BELIEVING I may have LIFE in His name. Not just any kind of life, an abundant life. Abundant life does not begin when my earthly life ends, abundant life begins the moment I believe!

What kind of "life" is meant as John uses this word in 4:14? (Lesson 1 Question 5a.)

Definition of Life:

Life: n. 1. In a general sense, the state of an organized being, in which its natural functions and motions are performed, or in which its organs are capable of performing their functions. A tree is not destitute of life in the winter, when the functions of its organs are suspended. They are not strictly dead, till the functions of their organs are incapable of being renewed. 2. In man, that state of being in which the soul and body are united. 5. The manner of living; conduct; deportment, in regard to morals. 6. Condition; course of living, in regard to happiness and misery. 7. Blood, the supposed vehicle of animation. 10. Spirit; animation; briskness; vivacity; resolution 12. Exact resemblance 13. General state of man 18. In scripture, nourishment; support of life 20. The enjoyments or blessings of the present life 22. Eternal happiness in heaven 23. restoration to life 25. A quickening, animating and strengthening principle, in a moral sense.

Life has many definitions, but how is John using it in his gospel? A few things jumped out as I read through the definitions. Of course LIFE means ETERNAL LIFE, life after this life in heaven with Him. But this year I have come to realize, understand that LIFE also means NOW, here in the present life, the life I will live until I go to be with Him. I do eagerly anticipate LIFE with Him when this life is over. That is what my hope is built upon. That is how I get through this present life. But I have not thought about how believing in His name gives me LIFE in the present. Because I believe, there are many things I enjoy, many blessings in this present life. Enjoyments and blessings that I recognize are from God. Things for which I can praise and thank him. I am enabled to see His glory here on earth. Seeing His glory, His goodness, His blessings here in this life makes me anticipate the things in the life to come even more. Something else in the definition of life stood out to me, EXACT RESEMBLANCE. When we choose to believe, He transforms our life, my life, into His exact resemblance. We come to look like Him, reflect His light, His love, His glory. It does not happen overnight, it is a slow transformation. It is not fully completed until we with Him in heaven. But from the moment we believe until we are united with Him again, the transformation is taking place that transforms our life to be the exact representation of Him. That is an overwhelming thought. It is a humbling thought. I am so unworthy of such transformation, yet that is the life that He promises! He is transforming ME into His image. My past does not matter. I am forgiven. I am wash clean, forever white! I get to put on Christ's righteousness. I get ABUNDANT LIFE, here, now, forever!!!! The last thing that stood out in the definition was nourishment, support of life. When I am struggling, when I, in my humanness, fail, fall short it is because I am relying on my own strength, power, will. But when I believe I no longer have to rely on myself. My nourishment comes from the streams of living water flowing in those who believe, me!

Lecture 1

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20-21

God's Word is trustworthy and without error.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

I can trust the Scriptures. It is the Holy Spirit that guides me to knowledge and understanding.

The Scriptures through the Holy Spirit transforms my life.

But in order to learn more, I must ACT on that which He has already taught me!

Principles:

The Bible is the way to know Jesus Christ and have a relationship with Him

Spending time with Jesus results in intimace with Him and a transformed life

Notes - Lesson 1

Introduction to the Gospel of John

• John so precious to Christians because John reveals the person of Jesus so intimately and completely.


• John is a scholar's book, his underlying Christian philosophy and his mature insight delve into such mysteries as the interrelationship of the three persons of the triune God. Although simply expressed, these insights are so profound that the reader is made to stand in awe as on the edge of a boundless sea. (Looking back I do stand in AWE!)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9

For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:2-3

• If you want to understand the true meaning of life, if you seek to have eternal life, if you long to know God, you will FIND ALL THESE desires fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the Gospel of John.


• If as a Christian you CRAVE the more "abundant life" that springs from within and flows forth in rivers of living water to those who touch you ( the fullness of the Holy Spirit promised in 7:38-39), you must recieve the the words of the book of John.

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:38

• John wrote this book so that I may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing I may have life in his name. (John 20:31)


• John called himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved," not from pride but from humility because Jesus loved all His disciples. This deep satisfaction in the love of Jesus became the core of John the disciple's existence.

John

• Jew


• from northern province of Galilee


• region noted for liveliness, industry, independence and warlikeness


• Comparing with Judea (southern province), Galilee much more free of prejudice.


• Receptive to new ideas, more open to immediate realization of truth when they met it


• Judea more oppressed by strict religious authority of Jerusalem based teachers of law and Pharisees


• Brother James, father Zebedee, mother Salome


• Fisherman


• Salome, a woman of spiritual earnestness
• somewhat affluent (mk 1:20 - hired men; mt 27:55, mk 15:40-41 and lk 8:3 infer of resources used to minister to Lord; owned a house to which he took Jesus' mother)
• had connection with wealthy and infulential high priest


• John's life characterized by a quiet responsiveness to the truth, opening his heart to the Lord as a flower to the sun


• John did not have Peter's particular gifts. His talents and his mission were of a different and more inward nature.


• John rarely spoke unless he had to


• extremely reserved, quiet and lived mostly within himself
• kept himself in the background, observing, contemplating, drinking in the love and the light expressed in the life of his Master and responding to Him - with a profound, understanding love.


• passionate and violent temper that would burst out in explosions of sudden anger to everyone's amazement - Sons of Thunder


• disguised own name not to glorify himself but to exalt the tenderness of Him who had deigned to stoop so low


• John knew himself (as a believer saved by grace) as the object of the most amazing love


• Everyone who loves the Lord's truth will receive it, for to the person who sincerely loves truht there will be an intuitive recognition that this is true, even before this truth is proved.


• John more than anyone else points on the one hand to the most intimate life with the person of the Lord Jesus, OPEN TO EVERY BELIEVER

Matthew presents Christ as the Lion of Judah - the King. Special emphasis given to Christ's person in view of past prophecies

Mark presents Christ as the Ox - the burden bearer, God's Servent, who came not to be served but to serve. Primarily a Gospef of movement, of present action, of anecdotes.

Luke presents Him as God's ideal Son of Man becoming man in order to save man. Links events with the names of governors, places and times when he rpesents Jesus the Son of Man in history.

John presents Him as the Eagle from Heaven, unique Son of God. Emphasizes the deity of Christ.

Prayer Request: to seek to find the heart of Jesus

Share Day

Yesterday was share day at BSF. I have always gone, but never shared, until yesterday. I knew God was calling me to share, but I am not sure I would have ever done it on my own. It took the courage of a lady in my group for me to go to the front. We will call the lady D. The background information is as follows.

When I was an assistant principal, one of my many encounters with parents was with D. D was the parent of an older son, and a set of twins. I had worked with D on many occasions with one of her twins. Those encounters were always positive. Toward the end of my four years the other twin made a poor decision which resulted in a harsh punishment. That encounter with D was not positive. That was my last encounter with D, her twins graduated from my school and moved on to the next school. I typically do not dwell on interactions with parents. As an assistant principal, I unfortunately deal with parents and teens at their lowest point. I am the face of that bad time. Seeing me often brings them back to that painful time. Usually I do not dwell on those encounters. Years later when I run into someone outside of school, I remember none of the painful memories. But there are a few interactions I do remember, and the last one with D is one of them. I had replayed it in my mind many times. Would I have said things differently? Was there a better way to handle the situation? I do not remember the punishment. I remember being sad. I remember being worried about the child who had made the poor choice. I felt bad my last interaction with the sweet woman ended with a bitter taste.

Fast forward several years. I had my two children. I was no longer working. I was attending the BSF day class. I ran into D in the hallway one Wednesday morning. In my mind, I went back to that last time in my office. I had a feeling she did too. There was NO one else around. I could not hide, but I knew I was not high on her list to see or talk to. We were both polite and exchanged pleasantries and went on our way.

Fast Forward to August of 2010. I went to Donna Wilbanks house to pick up my list of women for my discussion group. While I had been a BSF leader for many years, this was my first year to be a discussion group leader. It felt like the first day of school, getting to see who would be in my group. Would I know anyone? As I perused down my list of ladies, my heart dropped when I saw D's name on my list. I was fine with her being in my group, but felt she might not be fine being in a group with me. I was unsure of what to do. Should I say something to Donna?

Through the study of John I have been convinced without a doubt that God's plan will prevail. Man cannot thwart His plan. For that I am grateful. I have been in BSF long enough (and have participated in helping to place women into groups) to know human hands may place women into groups, but it is God who divinely assigns the women to the place He wants them to be. It is not chance or luck, it is God.

I had Kennedy with me that day at Donna's. Kennedy can be beastly at times, but this day she was particularly difficult and unruly. I was not able to stay and enjoy the coffee and fellowship at Donna's. I had to get my list and go because of Kennedy. Because of Kennedy, I could not have talked to Donna even if I had wanted to. I went to my car and I prayed about how to handle the situation. Looking back, I see it as part of His plan.

When you get your list of women, you are to call them, introduce yourself, let them know they have been placed in your group, and make sure they are still wanting to be in the study. So I made my calls. When I called D, I was hoping she would not recognize my married name. (I had dealt with her mostly when I was single.) She did not answer, so I left a message. I did not hear back from her. I went to Class Workshop, received further instructions about our calling. I still said nothing to Donna. I called D again, she did not answer, I left a message. I went to our first leader's meeting. I received further instructions about how to handle women we had not heard from. I called D again, she did not answer, I left a message. On the Tuesday before our first BSF meeting, I had a message on my from from D saying she had not been sure if she would be able to come this year but she would be there on Wednesday. I was so excited and relieved to hear that she would be coming.

On our first class day, I was nervous. We did not have a lesson to go over, we spent our time going around the circle telling about ourselves, our families, and how we came to BSF. When it was D's turn I tried to be as kind and positive as possible. We finished the first class day and went down to lecture. I breathed a sigh of relief.

BSF had not started their under 2 program yet. Since Kennedy's 2nd birthday was the Thursday after our first BSF meeting and she could not attend until she was officially 2, I had to take Kennedy to a babysitter for the first class day. After lecture I was in a bit of a rush to pick up Presley in the children's program and then to go pick up Kennedy at Mrs. Campbell's house. As I am walking toward the children's area, I hear someone call my name. I stop and turn around and see that it is D. I know I looked rushed. D said she had wanted to talk to me, but it looked like it may not be a good time. I felt terrible. I wondered if I should have slowed down and taken the time to talk to her right then. I felt the struggle inside. But deep down I knew what she wanted to talk about, I knew it did not need to be a rushed conversation, I knew I would have a hard time fully concentrating on her because I would be worrying about my children. We agreed that I would give her a call. Looking back, I believe delaying the conversation was a part of God's plan. D would need to have a conversation with her brother before she talked with me.

I called D the next day. She did not answer, I left a message. I called her again on Tuesday when I made my phone calls to all of my ladies. She did not answer, I left her a message. I knew she would not be in class the next day. She had told me her brother would be in town for the day only and she would be spending time with him. I waited until the next Tuesday to call D again, but this time I chose to text her instead. This is what I wrote:
"Debbie, it is DeAnne Thomas from BSF. Just wanted to touch base with you.
Would love to talk to you. Call me if you have a chance."

This time I heard a response,
"Hi Deann. Sorry we are out of town. I will call You tomorrow if ok. Thanks. D"

She did call me the next day, but I was not home. I saw her on Wednesday in class.
I had a double group because one of the other leaders was out. When group was over and we were about to head back for lecture, D asked if I had a few minutes. We were able to talk. She shared with me that she was not sure if she was going to be able to be in my group. Because of our last encounter with her child six years earlier she had been harboring anger towards me. When she saw me in the foyer the semester before and realized I was in the same BSF class with her, she had talked with her brother and former leader over the summer telling them she thought she would need to quit BSF because she did not think she could sit in the same group with me and share. Her former leader encouraged her to stay in. Her brother's response was, "You know what is going to happen don't you? She is going to be in your group!" When she met with this brother the week before and told him not only was I in her group I was her leader, he was not surprised at all. Her brother asked what she wanted to say to me, what she wanted to happen. D did not know the answer. But in talking to me, she felt a load lifted. We both shed tears, we hugged. I told her I did not want to be a stumbling block for her, but I did not want her to quit BSF. If she felt she needed to move to another group I would understand. We talked about how Satan did not want her to be here to hear God's Word, but it was important for her to be here. D did not grow up in a church hearing God's Word. She just started to study God's Word in BSF just a year earlier. D agreed that she did need to be at BSF and in God's Word. We agreed to be praying about the situation.

D decided to stay in my group. She was such a blessing. She needed to be here. She had some difficult family struggles this year. She needed to know she had the support and prayers of the women in our group. One of the more mature Christian women in our group took D under her wing. What a blessing to watch.

D was so kind. Sending me sweet texts about how much she appreciated me. She gave my girls an Easter gift (a sweet book about Easter eggs and resurrection eggs). She wrote me a sweet note at the end of the year. She shared her story at our last fellowship and many in the group encouraged her to share it on share day. D said she did not think she could. I told her I would be happy to stand with her if she chose to share.

D courageously chose to share her struggle and how God was victorious. I was humbled that she asked me to stand with her. God is so good to restore. It is only God. Not by might, not by power, but by thy Spirit!

D was divinely placed in my group for a reason. Not just for her, but for me. If D had chosen not to come, not to talk to me, she would never had experienced the joy that comes with geniune forgiveness. If I had chosen to talk to Donna when I realized D was in my group and asked for her to be moved to another group, I would have prohibited the work God wanted to do in my heart and in D's. Instead, both of us chose to abide in the Lord and His provision, His grace, His mercy and were able to experience His Hand at work in us. An unbelievable and life-changing experience. I am thankful He allowed me to be a part!

Abiding

The theme for the study of John this year was ABIDING.
God is so good, He knows exactly what we need.
Though we sing "Abide with me" the problem is not God abiding in me but the opposite.
Why is it so difficult for me to abide in Him?
Fear? Self Focus? Impatience? Control issues? Not daily dying to self?
Dwelling in His love, obeying His commandments should not be that difficult, yet it is.
Being in the study of John has enabled me to dwell in His love almost daily which helped to refocus my eyes on Him, His Will and His plan.
Looking back at the unexpected challenges that I faced this year (extended family issues, health issues) I did my best to abide in Him and the result was His perfect peace. I experience joy even in the sorrow. Through cloud and sunshine I felt His love. Tears had no bitterness. Any gloom encountered, He was there to point me to Him. I have felt the Lord's abiding in me this year. How sweet is has been.

I know to remain in Him I must daily die to myself so I can dwell in His love which will enable me to obey His commands.
Today I will choose to Abide in Him!


Notes from BSF Workshop Below:

ABIDE:
Continuing without change, enduring, steadfast
Enduring, Imperishable
Unending, Unchanging, Unshakable
to remain, continue, to stay
to have one's abode, dwell, reside
to continue in a prticular condition, relationship, last
to endure, sustain, withstand without yielding or submitting
to wait for, await
REMAIN,WAIT, DWELL
To wait patiently for
To remain in place
To conitune to be sure, firm
Endure
To dwell or sojourn
to act or behave in accordance with or in obedience to

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens;

Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me

The Lord is unchanging, He does ABIDE in me. He does not leave or forsake me. I have nothing to fear, no foe, no gloom, no darkness. He is always with me, always guiding me. The problem is not Lord abiding with me, the problem is me abiding in Him.

Abiding- Offering ourselves completely to Him

I John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Titus 3:4-5

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Romans 12:1

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Abundant Life is measured by HOW I ABIDE in HIM.

But how do I abide, remain, endure, wait, dwell????

1. Dwell in His love- His perfect LOVE that drives out fear

2. Obeying His commands

When I abide in Him, when I dwell in His love and obey His commands the focus changes from self to God.

The mark of abiding is what comes out of my mouth.

Abiding in Him effects the way I think, act and speak.

The unexpected challenges that I face and how I respond will show me how well I am abiding in Him.

When I abide in Him

......I recognize my need for God's empowering and enabling.

.....I love others enough to help them abide in Christ.

.....My goal is a vibrant relationship with God for myself and for others.

.....I prayerfully lead others to abide in Christ.

.....enables me to trust in God's timing for the salvation of others.

.....enables me to discern opportunities to share the gospel.

Abiding in Christ means turning the conversation towards salvation.