Today is the last day of our study. For any of you who might have missed the announcement on our upcoming series, “30 Days of Gratitude,” you can click here for all of the details. I’ll have that study guide ready for you in the middle of next week.
Note: if any one is planning on picking up a copy of the Gratitude Journal to use for the study (it’s optional) you can find it on Amazon. Click here to view on Amazon (affil link)
My thoughts on each lesson for this past week are below as well as this weekend’s coloring page. Have a great weekend!
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
Genesis 21:8-20 – Hagar and Ishmael are Sent Away
It wasn’t until I dug into scripture that I realized the gift Hagaar was handed. Not only was she sent off with a promise for Ishmael, but they were also both given an opportunity to grow.
If Ishmael was to lead a great nation, he had to first become a great man.
I’m reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon, “Whenever God means to make a man great, He always breaks him in pieces first.”
Hebrews 12:7 tells us, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
In the same way, our lives go through times of testing and trials. During those times of despair, God’s grace is upon us. He never forsakes us, but He does allow us to walk through wilderness places in order to prepare us for those things ahead.
Exodus 16 – Manna from Heaven
What’s disheartening about this chapter is how quickly the Israelites disregarded their freedom. Instead of worshipping the God who delivered them from slavery, they murmured against Him. They exaggerated the comforts back home, and minimized the freedom they had.
The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness, during which time God strengthened them as a nation. It was through trials like hunger and thirst that they learned obedience, moderation, and faith.
“And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” – Deuteronomy 8:2
After Jesus was baptized, the Bible tells us that He was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted (Matthew 4:1). Just like the Israelites He learned what it felt like to hunger and thirst, so that through this time, He would be strengthened in Spirit.
Here’s the thing, there’s a difference between experiencing loss and grumbling about it. That’s where Jesus excelled in character. He trusted God throughout His trials while the Israelites dishonored God with their lips.
Their murmurings signified a lack of faith, but God was patient and gracious toward them providing them manna and quail.
1 Corinthians 10 tells us that these things took place in the wilderness as an example to us, and so as we’re reading these stories from the Old Testament, it’s important to us to take them to heart, to learn from their failures, and to grow from the wisdom we glean.
Luke 7:36-50 – A Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet
Through these words, we see how God bestows grace on the humble and lowly at heart. There’s really no question as to whether we have sin in our lives, the real question is whether we’ve humbled ourselves in repentance.
Luke 7:45 tells us that from the minute Jesus walked in, this woman didn’t stop kissing His feet. How many of us humbled ourselves when Jesus came into our lives? How many of us continue to humble ourselves day after day?
In those days it was customary to wash your guest’s feet and to anoint their heads with oil. Unlike our cities and towns, ancient roads were unpaved. If they weren’t dusty, they were damp and dirty–therefore it was necessary to wash your feet when you entered a home.
Normally the slaves were assigned to the job, which is why it was humbling when Jesus knelt down in John chapter 13 to wash the feet of his disciples. If there was no servant in the home, the host would furnish a basin of water to offer his guest, who would then wash his own feet. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
In this portion of scripture, Jesus stepped into the home of Simon the Pharisee who neglected to serve him.
His lack of humility was a stark contrast to the woman who was ready and willing to wash his feet with her tears, and dry them with the hair on her head.
Many Christians today are like Simon. They’re missing the point when it comes to salvation. We don’t earn it by our outward appearance or a good track record. It comes by grace through faith and repentance.
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” –
Today’s Coloring Page
Click here to download the coloring page
Hagar and Ismael
How many times have I read this passage and just did not like the events but this time God revealed to me what I never saw before. God told Abraham not to be distressed because He had a plan (vs. 11-13). Don’t worry about what Sarah says because I have a plan. I do not think Abraham would have let his son go had he not trusted in the encouragement of God! God extended his grace and presence to Ismael by making him a great nation as well. And Hagar was no longer a slave but a free mother who could choose a wife for her son and watch him continue to grow without living in the shadow of Sarah and her son Isaac. Joseph says it later on in Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…”Sarah wanted them to go out of envy and selfishness but God had it set up to be for the good of all.
I think the same reason God made Abraham and Sarah wait to have Isaac-so that there was no doubt in their minds that the birth of Isaac was All God is the same reason Hagar did not see that well of water until God stepped and spoke to her from Heaven. At the end of the journey, she could only say “If it had not been for the Lord-my son would have surely died!”
Manna from Heaven
In the manna provided for the children of Israel, we have an illustration of God’s provision for us day by day. Grace is the greatest instructor in obedience that you will find in the Word of God. Law does not teach obedience but grace does, and the Israelites were learning by experience that the walk of obedient faith is much to be desired by the child of God. Like them, we have to learn to not just trust God for our salvation but for everything. If God is able to feed 3 million people in the wilderness for 40 years, then that same God is able to take us through our entire life meeting every need.
“A Woman anoints Jesus’ Feet”
We must go spiritually naked before God baring all,
Humble before Jesus,
Acknowledging Him
Loving Him for who He is and not for what He can do for us
Just be in AWE of Him because He is God!
I must admit, I haven’t read as much of the NT as I have studied the OT but one thing that I have noticed is the women of the NT. Women had a certain role in the society of this time period that is nothing like today! They were not treated equally to men and once they made some bad decisions in their lives-there was no way to change it BUT THEN JESUS COMES saying He is the TRUTH, the WAY and the LIGHT. He has come to save those who believe on HIM. And there are a few women who jumped over hoops to seek Him out. This is inspiring to me! There are times when I’m down on my self-worth and all I have to do is read about this woman, or the woman who was unclean for 12 years, or the woman at the well. I know that if He loved them and saved them, then yes He still loves me!
Thank you Darlene Schact for an awesome bible study! This was my first time completing one and I loved it!!! Can’t wait for the next one.
I just wanted to thank you for all of the time, effort, and prayer that you put into these Bible studies! My daughter and I have really enjoyed getting to know the Lord better as a result of His mercy and your studies. May the Lord bless you tremendously for all you do for Him and His children!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you two are enjoying the prayers.
What strikes me about the first two is the suffering required to become strong. I recently learned that storms cause trees roots to grow deeper, making them more resilient to greater storms later on. If a bad storm comes upon a tree that has never been through a storm it will fall because its roots are shallow. Likewise people who grumble about or avoid hard times never develop the strength and character needed to face life’s trials. They remain weak. Good reminder of how to rightly respond to hard times…
Thank you for your devotion to leading us!
What strikes me about the first two is the suffering required to become strong. I recently learned that storms cause trees roots to grow deeper, making them more resilient to greater storms later on. If a bad storm comes upon a tree that has never been through a storm it will fall because its roots are shallow. Likewise people who grumble about or avoid hard times never develop the strength and character needed to face life’s trials. They remain weak. Good reminder of how to rightly respond to hard times. I’m familiar with this because the last year has been really hard and I did not deal with it well at first…
Thank you for your devotion to leading us!
Is this week 4 recap? labeled week 3 recap???
Jessica, I didn’t even notice that. Sorry. And thank you so much for letting me know! I just fixed it.
I love the words you wrote in regards to Hagar and Ishmael:
I’m reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon, “Whenever God means to make a man great, He always breaks him in pieces first.”
What a powerful thing to be broken and learn that grace is sufficient!
This was the reason I stepped out in faith and began blogging today. I LOVE your coloring pages, and I am so glad that I have found your blog. I will be visiting often.
Thank You Sister, for allowing the Holy Spirit use you as a teacher. Thank you I pray you won’t stop. I have been so blessed by the lessons. God bless looking for the next lessons.