Want to join in on a study?

I'm doing a study at a blog called Women of the World on The Way of Cain.

We read Ezekiel 16:49 in several different Bible translations. How revealing to know that Sodom's chief sin was one of PRIDE. And what does pride mean, other than God, my plans are better than yours? And this was a result of making poor choices.

Looking back at Genesis 4:7, God rebukes Cain for, as The Message calls it, pouting. Hmmmm, I've not ever done THAT, have I?! LOL This is the first mention of sin in the Bible, which I find interesting. Sin wasn't mentioned in the Garden of Eden, where we often think about Eve being the first to sin.

"The writer then goes on to talk about how it is not only enough to KNOW the Word of God, but it must be SOWN as well. We talked about this in Sunday School yesterday, about how just saying that we are believers in Christ is not the be all, end all. We must then go forward and share His word with others!

Next Biblical reference that spoke to me: Proverbs 4:25-27.

Discipline is not easy, but it is the way that will lead to the life God desires for us. See Hebrews 12:4-11. Oh my....that means that I'm gonna have to discipline myself to put God first....and that may mean--gasp--getting up earlier to read my Bible! EEK! Pray for me, readers!

Here's another one that I need to hear: Micah 6:8:

"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously--take God seriously."

Now for this week's assignment! We need to surf through the Proverbs and take note of Scriptures dealing with Pride, Humility, and the need for discipline and preparation.

We also need to read 2 Chronicles 12.

Here are this week's questions. I'm not going to answer them just yet, but I am putting them here so I can reflect upon them.

PASSAGE QUESTIONS

1. What did the prophet reveal to King Rehoboam and how did the people respond?
2. What did the LORD’s discipline consist of?
3. What was the extremely important Kingdom lesson that ADONAI wanted to impart to the people of Israel (vs. 8)?
4. Take note that bondage is not total destruction; rather, it is the rod that God uses to help us identify that we are on the wrong path!
5. What Scriptures relating to being humble and obedient come to your mind?


PERSONAL EXAMINATION

1. Do you feel inwardly that you suffer from a restless and wandering spirit?
2. Do you find yourself mostly living in a state of discontentment often looking for the ‘next thing’ to bring you joy and fulfillment? Identify these things by journaling them.
3. Does joy and fulfillment presently pervade your spirit?
4. Are many of your relationships troubled?
5. Does jealousy over another's accomplishments or possessions rule your spirit?
6. Are you frequently late and unprepared for each day?
7. Is your home out of order?
8. Ask our Heavenly Father to help you identify what is acceptable and what is not in your life. He will not only help you identify these areas, but He will give you a conquering faith (1 John 5:3-5) that you may HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH!
9. What are some ways the LORD might be calling you to actively sow good seed for a future and bountiful harvest (2 Corinthians 9:10)?

ADDITIONAL TRUTHS FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOVE

1. Discipline apart from lovingkindness is legalism (unpleasant).
2. Lovingkindness apart from discipline is laziness (unproductive).
3. Kingdom Life (the Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life) is meant to be both pleasurable (Psalm 16:11) and productive!
4. Notice that to even be able to enjoy the good that results from our work is THE GIFT OF GOD. - Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:12-13,22
5. NOT WALKING in the very pre-ordained purposes for our everyday will lead to a restless/wandering spirit as Cain had - never quite finding what his spirit yearned for, REST (Matthew 11:28-30).
6. WEEK 1 FOCAL PASSAGE: 2 Chronicles 12 - Rehoboam was not completely destroyed due to his pride. But after the people humbled themselves at the prophet Sh'ma'yah's warning, the LORD gave them over to slavery (He granted them a measure of deliverance - verse 8) SO THAT THEY WOULD COME TO APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SERVING HIM and serving earthly kingdoms! His discipline is meant to teach us something. (Hebrews 12:11). Are we receiving His discipline as one who trusts Him fully? (Proverbs 1:23)
7. The land of Nod (wandering) is where we as Christians often walk, not fulfilling the very purposes and receiving the freedom God has ordained for us (see Genesis 4:9-16).
8. We begin to walk in freedom only as we PREPARE our hearts to seek Him with our whole hearts each day. While that may sound so simple, King Rehoboam fell into the spirit and Way of Cain because he did not PREPARE his heart to seek the LORD. (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 16:1).
9. Cain had nothing good and acceptable to give to the LORD because he had not prepared his field and tended the land God had given him. Have you ever seen an unkempt field - thorny, bug infested and growth-stunted?
10. Though the LORD spoke a liberating word over him (Genesis 4:7), thus giving him another chance at success, Cain did not respond to that discipline. His jealousy over his brother's success drove him to murder.


And last but not least, this week's memory verse!

The discerning person focuses on wisdom there before him, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. ~ Proverbs 17:24

I'll be back later in the week to answer and comment more! If you'd like to join me, please visit the above blog since I haven't included everything here!