I have been intrigued with the word "redeemed" for many years. Exactly what does it mean, and how can understanding it change my view of my relationship with Christ.
The thought came up again today as I read Chapter 3 of the Book of Hosea. The "title" of the chapter is "Hosea Redeems His Wife". So I decided that I should look up what the word means. I turned to the 1828 Dictionary because it more closely represents the meaning of words in the Bible than our Websters of today. So, what did I find? Below are the top two definitions, which I found very enlightening.
1. To purchase back; to ransom; to liberate or rescue from captivity or bondage, or from any obligation or liability to suffer or to be forfeited, by paying an equivalent; as, to redeem prisoners or captured goods; to redeem a pledge.
2. To repurchase what has been sold; to regain possession of a thing alienated, by repaying the value of it to the possessor.
When we look at these two definitions in light of our relationship with Christ there are a few things I observe. First, we were purchased back, were we not? We were liberated from captivity. The bondage that held us, our sin and the evil in this world, those are the things from which we needed liberation.
But what really strikes me is in the second definition. "...to regain possession of a thing alienated, by repaying the value of it to the possessor." Satan had us in bondage. Our sins had us in bondage. But the BLOOD of Christ repaid the value - our value - and set us free. That's how much we are valued by our Creator God. So much that the only thing that was the equivalent payment for our freedom was the life of His only Son.
Wow. I cannot get over that thought. Hosea redeemed his wife by paying for her to get her back from those who had enslaved her into prostitution. In the same way, God has paid the price for us to free us from those things which once enslaved us.
Now, how then should we live in light of this understanding? That's the toughest part. Learning to live for Christ alone and celebrating the freedom we have that came through His sacrifice. Let us not keep turning back to the things that once held us in bondage, but remain faithful to our savior who has redeemed us.
-Sarah Staples
10.19.2012
9.23.2012
Welcome to Hosea
Here we are at the beginning of our new study on the book of Hosea! We will study the first 7 chapters this fall, and plan to wrap up the rest of the book during our second semester. I look forward to learning more about our Savior together through the pages of this Old Testament book.
In case you are joining us and don't yet have the study book we will be using, let me tell you a bit about it. We are using Geared for Growth Bible Studies/Amazing Love/A Study in Hosea. Each week one of the leaders will write a blog post (here) with thoughts on our upcoming lesson. Once you have read that, we encourage all of you in the study to log on to your Table account. You can do that by clicking here. Within our Table accounts we will discuss our weekly lesson, request prayer, and get to know each other better. If you need assistance with setting up an account at The Table Project, please let us know!
Are you ready to dig in to Hosea? In our introduction (page 5 of our book) we see that 'Hosea' and 'Jesus' are two forms of the same name. The name means 'Saviour.' Did you already learn something? If you'd like to learn more, then join us! We're in this together! Welcome to week #1!
-Sarah Ann
In case you are joining us and don't yet have the study book we will be using, let me tell you a bit about it. We are using Geared for Growth Bible Studies/Amazing Love/A Study in Hosea. Each week one of the leaders will write a blog post (here) with thoughts on our upcoming lesson. Once you have read that, we encourage all of you in the study to log on to your Table account. You can do that by clicking here. Within our Table accounts we will discuss our weekly lesson, request prayer, and get to know each other better. If you need assistance with setting up an account at The Table Project, please let us know!
Are you ready to dig in to Hosea? In our introduction (page 5 of our book) we see that 'Hosea' and 'Jesus' are two forms of the same name. The name means 'Saviour.' Did you already learn something? If you'd like to learn more, then join us! We're in this together! Welcome to week #1!
-Sarah Ann
5.09.2012
Coming to a Close (Sarah Ann)
To wrap up our study on the book of Galatians, I'd like to leave you with a little message to take with you into the summer. Below I've listed verses and topics from our study and set them to an acrostic of Galatians. (I like to play with words, can you tell?) :)
As much as I've learned throughout this study, I have so much more yet to learn! I hope you continue to read and study God's Word, establishing a pattern that works for you. I'm not a morning person, so I enjoy my quiet time at night...when things are quiet. :) Maybe mornings work well for you. Maybe you are able to find a quiet moment in the afternoon. My challenge to you (and to myself as well!) is to seek after God all through the day--morning, noon, and night! We can do that by listening to praise music, praying while driving, recalling scripture verses committed to memory, and of course--by reading the Bible.
Have a fabulous summer everyone, and we will see you in the fall!!!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:3)
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. (3:6)
Law or grace?
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. (2:20)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (5:22-23)
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (5:25)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (6:9)
Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world? (4:9)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (6:10)
As much as I've learned throughout this study, I have so much more yet to learn! I hope you continue to read and study God's Word, establishing a pattern that works for you. I'm not a morning person, so I enjoy my quiet time at night...when things are quiet. :) Maybe mornings work well for you. Maybe you are able to find a quiet moment in the afternoon. My challenge to you (and to myself as well!) is to seek after God all through the day--morning, noon, and night! We can do that by listening to praise music, praying while driving, recalling scripture verses committed to memory, and of course--by reading the Bible.
Have a fabulous summer everyone, and we will see you in the fall!!!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1:3)
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. (3:6)
Law or grace?
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. (2:20)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (5:22-23)
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (5:25)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (6:9)
Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world? (4:9)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (6:10)
5.08.2012
Coming to a close (Justine)
I agree with Sarah Beth - I can't believe we are already done with Galatians!
As I have taken the time to review this week, I have realized how easy it is to get caught up with pleasing people and living a life of slavery instead of freedom. Going through Galatians has left me with some great statements to post on my mirror + to preach to myself! I also realized how much more balanced and settled I feel when I am in the Word daily. Just the chance to sit down + focus on God + His Truths stayed with me throughout the next day. There is an obvious reason why God wants us to meet with Him daily! He is our heart's encourager + peace!
I have loved getting to know the women in my group + was encouraged by the different questions, responses, and comments on our passages we read each week. I so appreciated the accountability to get in the Word every night and to apply what I was reading to my life.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this Online Bible Study with each of you! May the routine you set through this study continue through the summer until we rejoin for the fall! See you then!
Justine
As I have taken the time to review this week, I have realized how easy it is to get caught up with pleasing people and living a life of slavery instead of freedom. Going through Galatians has left me with some great statements to post on my mirror + to preach to myself! I also realized how much more balanced and settled I feel when I am in the Word daily. Just the chance to sit down + focus on God + His Truths stayed with me throughout the next day. There is an obvious reason why God wants us to meet with Him daily! He is our heart's encourager + peace!
I have loved getting to know the women in my group + was encouraged by the different questions, responses, and comments on our passages we read each week. I so appreciated the accountability to get in the Word every night and to apply what I was reading to my life.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this Online Bible Study with each of you! May the routine you set through this study continue through the summer until we rejoin for the fall! See you then!
Justine
5.07.2012
Coming to A Close (Sarah Beth)
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of our study on the book of Galatians. For those who participated in the online portion of this study, we spent 14 weeks looking at the book of Galatians. But for those of us who led discussion groups, we have been camped out in this book for about six months, half a year, twenty-four weeks. However you look at it, that's a significant amount of time to spend in one book. And yet, I feel like I have barely scratched the surface of truly understanding and applying the truths in this book. I'm sure I could spend another six months and not have it all down.
But there are a few verses that have stuck out in my mind and I feel capture the spirit of the book, the main points if you will. You probably have other verses that spoke to you and sum up the book for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness[c] were through the law,then Christ died for no purpose.
As I read these verses, I realize I could sit and meditate on these verses every day and let the truth of Christ living in me, and how that looks in my daily life, truly sink into my brain.
I pray that you also had verses you will carry with you from this time in study. May God use your time in His word these past weeks to build your faith in Him.
God bless you all! We hope to see you this fall in our next study.
But there are a few verses that have stuck out in my mind and I feel capture the spirit of the book, the main points if you will. You probably have other verses that spoke to you and sum up the book for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness[c] were through the law,then Christ died for no purpose.
As I read these verses, I realize I could sit and meditate on these verses every day and let the truth of Christ living in me, and how that looks in my daily life, truly sink into my brain.
I pray that you also had verses you will carry with you from this time in study. May God use your time in His word these past weeks to build your faith in Him.
God bless you all! We hope to see you this fall in our next study.
4.30.2012
Week Thirteen
Ahh.. our last verses of Galatians! How does it feel to have completed this study? I hope you are all finishing well + are looking forward to next week's review time. We've received quite an arsenal of mini-sermons that we can be speaking to our hearts as we live out our lives. It can do our souls good to hear the primary truths of Galatians: For my freedom Christ came!
I am not looking forward to this week. I'm losing my best friend of the last three and a half years to grad school in Iowa + it has really caused me to think back on life four years ago. As a rule, I'm not a fan of change but this friendship {+ my 2 other close friendships} was a result of it. These three girls were freshmen at overflow + in my girls' Bible study at the time + I didn't really like them! For the three years of my undergrad, we had our girl friend group set + tight + awesome. Then, graduation hit + some left, some got married, some stopped coming to overflow.. + these girls came in. I totally held off on getting to know them + just went on wishing after the way things used to be. We joke about it now, but I was just not okay with them taking over + being the new batch of leaders at overflow.
I should have known.. God had a different plan. Spring of 2010, they joined me in creating overflow's annual "social justice weeks" which required Friday lunches and afternoons at my house + I joined the overflow leadership team. Before we knew it, those Friday afternoons were a staple, we were staying after the LT meetings until the UNK student union kicked us out... + we were tight friends. Since then, we have gone through some very difficult + very exciting times together, which brings us to this week: we're sending Leslie off to the greater purpose God has for her.
In the midst of the everyday mundane, it can be challenging to stay focused on the purpose of why we are here. Oftentimes I question if I am where I'm supposed to be, doing what I am purposed to do. Then, a week like this comes + I realize that four years ago in the midst of living for others, God brought three lovely women into my life to regain my focus. How true this is: "Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!" {gal. 6:15+16 | msg}
As I read these last verses in Galatians, I feel like God is gently whispering to me: "See? It's not about you, not about them. It's about Me. Lean into what I am doing." From three years ago when He opened my hands to build into the lives of these women to now, losing the daily connection with one of them, God is creating our lives anew. I don't want to live my life with my eyes pointed in front of me. I want to live my life with my eyes lifted to God, so that I recognize the significance of Him moving around us. Confident that Christ came for our freedom, I encourage you to scoop up the many lessons in Galatians + live in freedom to what God has for you. I expect the ride to be hard + joyful at times - but more than that, I expect it to be fully freeing!
Justine
I am not looking forward to this week. I'm losing my best friend of the last three and a half years to grad school in Iowa + it has really caused me to think back on life four years ago. As a rule, I'm not a fan of change but this friendship {+ my 2 other close friendships} was a result of it. These three girls were freshmen at overflow + in my girls' Bible study at the time + I didn't really like them! For the three years of my undergrad, we had our girl friend group set + tight + awesome. Then, graduation hit + some left, some got married, some stopped coming to overflow.. + these girls came in. I totally held off on getting to know them + just went on wishing after the way things used to be. We joke about it now, but I was just not okay with them taking over + being the new batch of leaders at overflow.
I should have known.. God had a different plan. Spring of 2010, they joined me in creating overflow's annual "social justice weeks" which required Friday lunches and afternoons at my house + I joined the overflow leadership team. Before we knew it, those Friday afternoons were a staple, we were staying after the LT meetings until the UNK student union kicked us out... + we were tight friends. Since then, we have gone through some very difficult + very exciting times together, which brings us to this week: we're sending Leslie off to the greater purpose God has for her.
In the midst of the everyday mundane, it can be challenging to stay focused on the purpose of why we are here. Oftentimes I question if I am where I'm supposed to be, doing what I am purposed to do. Then, a week like this comes + I realize that four years ago in the midst of living for others, God brought three lovely women into my life to regain my focus. How true this is: "Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!" {gal. 6:15+16 | msg}
As I read these last verses in Galatians, I feel like God is gently whispering to me: "See? It's not about you, not about them. It's about Me. Lean into what I am doing." From three years ago when He opened my hands to build into the lives of these women to now, losing the daily connection with one of them, God is creating our lives anew. I don't want to live my life with my eyes pointed in front of me. I want to live my life with my eyes lifted to God, so that I recognize the significance of Him moving around us. Confident that Christ came for our freedom, I encourage you to scoop up the many lessons in Galatians + live in freedom to what God has for you. I expect the ride to be hard + joyful at times - but more than that, I expect it to be fully freeing!
Justine
4.26.2012
Week 12: Doing Good to All
Hello everyone! Week 12 already! School is winding down, plans for summer are gearing up...and our Galatians study is coming to an end. This week we focus on the first 10 verses of the last chapter in Galatians. While working my way through this passage, several truths stand out to me.
Growing up in Chicagoland, I never knew any farming families. I never really thought about farms or the people who farm for a living. Living here has changed that. Now I'm blessed with several "farmer friends." :) Some of you are farmers! Where am I going with this? Well, this city girl has learned that this time of year is planting season for farmers. Along those lines, God has some timely words for us this week.
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
With my attitudes and actions, am I sowing to please the Spirit? Or am I sowing to please my sinful nature? These are some penetrating questions for each of us to consider.
In busy times like these, it's easy to become weary, isn't it? I grow weary of running at 110% throughout the day. I grow weary of feeling the need to be everything to everybody in my home. As women, we sometimes just feel weary. In Galatians 6:9 we are reminded of this:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
In the race of life, let's keep our minds focused on the promised harvest. My middle school son learned last night in youth group that our eternal purpose is this: "To know, love, and enjoy the Creator of the Universe through the atonement of Jesus Christ!" As we live out our eternal purpose and not become weary in doing good, God's Word encourages us to not give up! He promises us a harvest!
To wrap up this scripture passage, we're instructed to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." When siblings in a family do good to one another, parents are pleased and blessings abound. In the same way, when we do good to our brothers and sisters in Christ, God is pleased! To God be the glory!
May you find hope and strength in God's Word this week. :)
Sarah Luke
Growing up in Chicagoland, I never knew any farming families. I never really thought about farms or the people who farm for a living. Living here has changed that. Now I'm blessed with several "farmer friends." :) Some of you are farmers! Where am I going with this? Well, this city girl has learned that this time of year is planting season for farmers. Along those lines, God has some timely words for us this week.
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
With my attitudes and actions, am I sowing to please the Spirit? Or am I sowing to please my sinful nature? These are some penetrating questions for each of us to consider.
In busy times like these, it's easy to become weary, isn't it? I grow weary of running at 110% throughout the day. I grow weary of feeling the need to be everything to everybody in my home. As women, we sometimes just feel weary. In Galatians 6:9 we are reminded of this:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
In the race of life, let's keep our minds focused on the promised harvest. My middle school son learned last night in youth group that our eternal purpose is this: "To know, love, and enjoy the Creator of the Universe through the atonement of Jesus Christ!" As we live out our eternal purpose and not become weary in doing good, God's Word encourages us to not give up! He promises us a harvest!
To wrap up this scripture passage, we're instructed to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." When siblings in a family do good to one another, parents are pleased and blessings abound. In the same way, when we do good to our brothers and sisters in Christ, God is pleased! To God be the glory!
May you find hope and strength in God's Word this week. :)
Sarah Luke
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