Culture: Extra Credit - Week 3

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.

Extra credit is different this time because it will be two weeks before we will meet again.  So, since we have a little time on our hands, I want to challenge you to spend some time learning about God's truths in a different way.  PLEASE stay in His word daily!  I Timothy 6 would be a great chapter to focus on.  I want to challenge you to do at least 1 of 3 things:

                 1. READ TRUTH!

Tons of people read during the holidays especially if you are traveling.  So, here are some great reads that speak truth to our topic of culture.

Radical by David Platt
Radical Together by David Platt
The Heavenly Man by Paul Hattaway
Jumping Through Fires by David Nasser
I Never Thought I'd See The Day by Dr. David Jeremiah
Revolution In World Missions by K.P. Yohannan
Leadership And Self-Deception Getting Out of the Box by The Box by The Arbinger Institute
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis and Beth Clark

               2. WATCH TRUTH. . . OR LISTEN
Check out a couple of podcasts! I enjoy watching these while I'm cooking or working in the kitchen.

www.brookhills.org
On the homepage click at the bottom where it says "weekly teachings".  Next page on the right it will say "weekly teachings" and you can choose "video" or "audio".  The page will have a list of sermon titles and dates. 

Check out

• The Gospel and Materialism 10/9/11
• The Gospel and Materialism 10/16/11 - you will enjoy the interview with Katie Davis

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/living-proof-with-beth-moore/listen/

On the left side of the page click on "broadcast archives".  Then scroll down to June 14, 2010; June 28, 2010,   Check these out -- I heard them a long time ago, but I think they apply.

               3. PRAY TRUTH

Take just a minute each day of the holidays to pray a truth to Jesus  . . . such as . . .
"Lord, I know you created me for your glory and not my own.  Help me desire You above all things."
"Lord, help me to resolve myself to follow you just as Daniel did in Babylon."
"Lord, help me to resist the temptations that get in the way of my devotion to you."

I am proud of you for hanging in there with us during the holidays!  Stay strong, sweet friends!  We are almost to the end of the month.  Resolve not to give in.  It's only a few more days.  Remember your little black books.  You might read or hear something in the "Extra Credit" that you can jot down.  I can't wait to hear what you all have to share on Wednesday the 30th.  Happy Thanksgiving to you!  May we truly be thankful for Him!

Love you friends!
Amy Harris

Culture - Extra Credit Week 2

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.

Day 1:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read:  Matthew 7:5 and Luke 6:42

Last week we talked about the fact that we need to resolve ourselves to follow God in our own culture so that we can be a light and Godly to others.

Stop and pray and ask the Lord what planks you need to remove in order to be used by Him in our culture.


Day 2:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read: Proverbs 18:21

If you have used your words inappropriately, please say a prayer of forgiveness.  How can you use your words for life today?  Is there someone you need to encourage or speak a loving word of truth to?


Day 3:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read: James 3:1-9

What stands out to you in these verses?


Day 4:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.

Read: James 3:6

What is the source of the tongue when it is used like fire? _  _  _  _  (One 4 letter word.)

Read  Acts 2:3-4
Where is the source of these tongues of fire?

Our tongues can be used for heaven's purposes or hell's.  The tongue is hard to tame as we read yesterday.  We will never be perfect, but we certainly can be better.  Say a prayer of resolve to commit your tongue to the purposes of heaven.



Day 5:
Daily Prayer - Lord, change my heart to look more like yours.
Read: Exodus 14:14


Ask God to help you trust Him enough and His mighty power to do a mighty work while you remain in silent obedience against the spread of evil for the protection of His bride.


If you want a little something more to read, try the book of James.  It is not very long -- just 5 chapters.  I believe you will see lots of relevance and challenges for what we face in our culture today.


submitted by Amy Harris

"I Will Not Defile Myself"

"But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself..."  Daniel 1:8a

Wednesday night as Amy Harris introduced November's study on Culture, I was transported back to my childhood - to a time when many of my classmates were discussing the show Soap at school.  I wanted to be able to join in their conversations and feel like a part of the "crowd" so I asked my parents for permission to watch the show.  Now, I knew the answer before I even asked the question - absolutely not.  There was no need for discussion.  There were topics portrayed on the show that my parents did not approve of; therefore, they did not see any benefit from any of us watching it.  

We read and discussed Daniel 1 Wednesday night where Daniel and his friends were captured and taken to Babylon to be slaves to the king.  They were not asked to do hard labor.  They were not given horrendous or menial tasks to do.  They were simply asked to eat the rich food the king sent them from his own table. Sounds down right horrible, doesn't it?  "Here, Daniel, eat this wonderful food the king has sent you straight from his very own table - food prepared as though it were prepared for him and not for slaves."  I mean typically you would expect slaves to be getting slop or bread and water, right?  This sounds like the royal treatment!  Most of the slaves agreed and had no problem doing as they were told.  Daniel, however, stood his ground.  God had given Him a directive as to how he should eat and how he should conduct himself, and Daniel was unwilling to compromise on that at all.  In the end Daniel and his friends not only found favor in the eyes of God but in the eyes of the king as well who found them "far superior to all the other young men."  Because Daniel was faithful to God he "gave (him) knowledge and skill in both books and life.  In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding..."

As I have reflected on this lesson, I have been convicted.  Daniel did not compromise God's directives one bit for to do so would have given Satan a stronghold to weaken him in every area.  So I have to ask myself the tough question: have I compromised God's standard for me?  Once upon a time a show like Soap was off limits without any discussion.  What about today?  What is the standard set for today?   I cannot allow the culture of today's society to dictate my standards for me.  I must "resolve that I will not defile myself." for to do so is to obey God in every aspect of my life.  I owe Him no less!

I Want to Seek God...But How?

Originally posted on October 19, 2011

Whew….as a woman I often feel worn out. I bet you do too at times. So, once we’ve taken care of the kids, fed the dog, loved our husband, cooked dinner, cleaned the house and the clothes….how do we find time for God? I’m sure we’ve all said those “pop corn” prayers along our day but how do we find quality time with God? We want God in our lives. Goodness knows we feel the need for God in our lives…..but how?

I am delighted to have found the “Yes, but how lady” (YBH), Mrs. Elizabeth George!  Elizabeth has written numerous books on how women can live Christian lives. I feel so fortunate to have found her book,  A Woman After God’s Own Heart. Better than that, there is an entire Bible Study and teaching videos based on this book. I love her very practical tips on how to seek God in my daily life amid my long “to do” list.

So, when we decided to commit a month long study to the topic of how to seek God in our daily lives, I immediately turned to the “Yes, but how lady”! Here are a few pointers that we have learned so far:

1.  We need to have a heart for God’s word

• YBH? Pray that God will give us a heart for His word. HE WILL!!!!
• YBH? We have to put 1^st things 1^st.   Life management is really spiritual management.

a. We never waste time when we are in God’s word.  2 Tim 3:16

b.  First Time – Put 1^st things 1^st . Honor the Lord with the first fruits of our time. Prov 3:9

c.  Early Time – Spend time with the Lord early in the day just like the examples we see in God’s word: David – Psl 63:1; 5:3    Abraham – Gen 19:27   Jesus – Mark 1:35

•  YBH?

a.  Refuse to miss a day of reading God’s word

b.  Be a woman of one book – The Book!

c.  Beat the family up – Get up earlier than you family for your quiet time.

d.  Purpose to get up  - pray, set the alarm (allow for the snooze if needed)

e.  Open Your Bible!  God’s word will guide you to make you a woman after God’s own heart.

2. We need to be women of prayer.

Blessings we enjoy in prayer:

a. We become women of greater faith. Luke 18:1

•  YBH – Something is better than nothing.

b. We have greater peace. Phil4:6-7; 1 Pet 5:7

• YBH – Identify the number one problem. A problem defined is a problem half solved.

c.  Greater Purity 1 John 1:8-10; 1 Thes 5:17

d.  We have greater confidence in decision making. Acts 13:22; 9:6

            Idea for 3x5 card – Request at top with 4 questions on the card:

                        1.  Why would I do this?

                        2.  Why would I NOT do this?

                        3.  Why should I do this?

                        4.  Why should I NOT do this?

                                    * follow husband’s leadership

                                    *may want to add fasting

e. We have greater contentment. Phil 4:11-19

f.  Greater ministry of prayer. Prayer will make a difference in the history of others people’s lives.

•  YBH

• Pray in priority order (Pray for family first then others)
• Treat prayer time as an appointment

These are great practical tips on ways we seek God in our busy lives through God’s word and prayer. Just remember “something is better than nothing”. Even if you start with only 5-10 minutes each day, that’s a great start!!!!

We would love for you to join us tonight as we talk about spiritual growth….”Yes, but how?”

Written by Amy Harris.

Additional online resources to get started in spending time with God:

1. Hello Mornings - this is an online accountability group, if you need extra help getting your priorities in order.  The fall session is already closed, but another one starts in the Winter.  Instead, you might consider forming your own Valleydale accountability either via email, twitter, or facebook.
2. Check out this book, "Savoring Living Water," by Katie Orr and Lara Williams, if you need something in your hands to help guide you.
3. Visit this webpage, "Do Not Depart," for more resources and online bible studies in Philippians and on Abiding Fruit.
4. Check out the  Bible Reading Sheet found on the Resources Page of this blog.
5. One of our Valleydale ladies is vlogging and writing devotionally verse by verse in the book of Ruth this month here.

Notes on Encouragement from Amy Harris

 Originally posted September 14, 2011

Below are some notes Amy Harris made on encouragement that you should find helpful as we close out our week on encouragement and begin our study on Balance.  Amy made these notes based on the book A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.

A good word makes the heart glad. Proverbs 12:25

"With every encounter, make it your aim that people are better off for having been in your presence.  Try in every encounter to give something to the other person."

1.  Take Time to Be Filled:  

• We can't give away what we don't possess.

• If you take time to sit at Jesus' feet and be filled by God's Spirit as you study the written Word, if you focus on overcoming internal obstacles to doing God's work, you will never lack for ministry.  God's fullness in you will naturally overflow into the lives of others.
• Corrie ten Boom had a problem with shyness so she took a Dale Carnegie course to learn to talk to people.  She knew if she could talk to people she could tell them about Jesus
• You have more to give to your neighbor if you regularly place yourself before God and let Him grow you, strengthen you and transform you!

2.  Memorize Scriptures of Encouragement

• "let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt" Col 4:6
• If you are faithful to commit to memory selected gems from God's Word, you'll suddenly find them adding real substance to your conversations.

3.  Ways to Encourage:

Phone Calls - She calls them "sunshine calls"

• Tips - If you have young children at home, tell them you need to make a phone call and ask if they need anything before you call.  It shows your children that they are your primary concern but what you are doing is important so they are not to interrupt.
• Ask the person you are calling, "Is this a good time to talk or would you like me to call you back?"
• If they don't answer, leave a cheerful message and let them know you are thinking about them and will call them back.
• She usually makes her calls around 5:30 pm and says, "I know you're about to eat and so are we but I haven't seen you lately, and I just had to give you a quick call and make sure you're all right."  If there is a difficulty, I make an appointment to call back at a time when we can have a more lengthy and meaningful conversation.

Notes of Encouragement

• This works for handwritten notes or email but there is a much more personal element to a handwritten note.
• Tips - set aside a slot time in your week for the express purpose of writing notes.
• Basic How To: 3 sentences........

1. Sentence #1 - conveys I miss you, I appreciate you, or I'm thinking of you
2. Sentence #2 - let the reader know they are special to you and why
3. Sentence #3 - says I'm praying for you and includes a verse you are praying for them

• You can keep a folder with you with note cards, stamps, etc. to write notes as you are in carpool line, waiting at the Dr. offce etc.

Spiritual Gifts to Encourage Others

• Serving, mercy and giving - each is a specific spiritual gift, but each is also commanded of us as Christians.  And each was carried out and modeled for us by our dear Savior, in whose steps we are to follow.

Live It Out:

• Everything we do or don't do teaches.
• Others can watch you and be encouraged in their own quest to follow God.