Posts Tagged ‘blog’

I read having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver over the summer.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  I have been actually sharing my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book on my blogs.  Here is the latest question I studied out and gave commentary on.

Questions for Going Deeper – Day Eleven

5) In Mark 4:34-41 the disciples echoed Martha’s question:  “Don’t you care?”  What does this portion of Scripture teach us about the difficult times in our lives? (Consider Isaiah 43:1-2.)

What these two passages of scriptures teach us is that even when it looks the most difficult; God has already said in HIS word (referencing Isaiah 43:1-2) that he would be with us.  We need to stop having stock, believing in what we see with our natural eyes and begin to have faith in what he has promised us in his word.  Jesus who was the word made flesh was in the boat with the disciples (referencing Mark 4:34-41), yet and still they had fear that they would perish.  They were still in a state of disbelief.  For even after he had calmed the waters and the winds; they could not comprehend the matter of man Jesus was.  They still did not understand the authority or blessing they had amongst them.  Praise God for our sake they eventually did!

To be continued… I welcome your comments!

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

There is something about obeying that small voice of reason otherwise known as the Holy Spirit…

This past Saturday after attending church, I was led to go book shopping at Borders.  I had been debating for some time with myself about buying a Message Bible.  See for the past year when I did my home bible study, I would use the website Bible Gateway to look up the Message Bible translation of a verse for a deeper understanding.  My main reference translations have been the King James and Amplified up until then.   I was first introduced to the Message Bible by a minister from my church’s parent ministry during a service he taught us here in NY.

Fast forwarding back to the present, the message my pastor had taught on that evening had been on acting on the voice of God behind the word of God we hear or read.  The word I kept hearing as he was preaching was that it was time for me to get my Message Bible.  Being obedient I did get to Borders which is just outside of the venue where we had service that evening and proceed to go on upstairs where I knew the bibles was housed.

When I got upstairs, I actually almost missed the aisle of bibles.  They have them so far back in the store that I thought that they had relocated them somewhere else since the store is currently undergoing renovations.  When I did see the titles I saw there were several of them actually with funky book jackets in different colors, versions and formats.  The one that called to me; however was a parallel copy that included the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) with the Message REMIX that was in a convenient travel size.  The complete bible title in itself looked like a hardcover novel; that could easily fit in my day-to-day hand bag!

Ironically the bible was even priced less than the first one I looked at and included as I mentioned the Message REMIX which includes bible book introductions and general scripture references to do cross study.  Talk about favor!  Before leaving the store, however I was led again to see if one of the authors/poets I wanted to do a further study on collective works was in the store.

This brought me to one of the store’s kiosks, to check their inventory.  The poet I was looking for was Nikki Gionvanni.  Once it was confirmed that a collection of her works was indeed in the store by an associate I proceeded to go towards the downstairs escalators.  Upon reaching the main floor, my eyes were drawn to the clearance rack where I found a treasure for sure!

Just sitting there so sweetly was this volume called Poetry Speaks Expanded- Hear Poets Read Their Own Works from Tennyson to Plath. The volume itself includes 47 of the world’s most renown poets ever recorded complete with brief bio and essays written about them from living legend poets such as Sonia Sanchez and three CDs of the poets reading their own works.  The oldest recording is from the 1800s!  Originally priced at $49.99 now $9.99!!!

To make a long story short, I left the store with four titles; the fourth was a book for my pure leisure The Devil Wears Prada. A fifth book was purchased.  However, it was one donated to local charity that gives books to grammar school kids.  I was just blessed beyond measure with my selections and in the end was blessed to be a blessing. This was all because of being obedient to the voice I heard behind the message.

For your quick reference here is the purchase information for the books I bought:

• TNIV The Message Remix Parallel Bible – Zondervan
• Poetry Speaks Expanded – Hear Poets Read Their Own Works from Tennyson to Plath (Book w/ CDs)
• The Collected Poetry of Nikki Gionvanni 1968 – 1998 P.S. Insights, interviews and more…
• The Devil Wears Prada – Lauren Weisberger

Bible Gateway | A searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages

– http://www.biblegateway.com

Lela Jefferson, © 2009 All Rights Reserved

http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Questions for Going Deeper – Day Ten

1) In this passage how did God minister to Elijah in the midst of his discouragement (1 Kings 19: 1-8)?  How has God ministered to you when you felt alone and were hurting?

In this passage of scripture Elijah is ministered to by God with the answering of his prayers.  He told the Lord that he felt he was not strong enough to continue on to fight Jezebel and her maneuvers; that he was no better than his fathers before him.  God being true to his form; gave Elijah what he asked for.  He released him from his assignment, but at the same feed and protected him.

When I have felt alone and hurting.  God has presented me with others to minister to, to keep my mind off myself.  To show me that what I think may be bad only pales in comparison to what someone else maybe going through.  Other times he has even humbled me; by allowing me to hear the testimonies others that endured and were able to praise God in the end.

Nothing that the world can toss me I cannot overcome, with God and through my faith in him!

To be continued… I welcome your comments!

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection – Day Eight

1) The story of Mary and Martha stirs up memories of sibling rivalry for many of us.  What battles with your siblings do you remember the most? What did you do to get your parents to notice you?

I didn’t grow up really with my older siblings, due to a 15+ year gap between most of them and myself.  I was raised as an only child until my niece moved in with us when I was 10 years old.  She is just a year younger than me.   I remember the first night she officially to moved in.  She ran to hug me and in the process she knocked me down.  I landed on my ankle, sprained it and ended up also with scratches on my arm.  This was only round one, of our ongoing battle royale in the end we came to a truce… love

I didn’t try to get noticed by my parents, I actually wanted to make sure that I DIDN’T draw any unneeded attention.  I was what they call goodie two shoes; good grades and good behavior.

2) Read Luke 10:38-42.  Have you ever asked Martha’s question, “Lord, don’t you care?”  What was the situation?  How did God answer your question?

The only real time I can remember ever asking the Lord, if he cared…  I was young only barely of age (when I didn’t know any better) and faced with the possibility of all I had worked so hard for in life coming down like stones at my feet.  There were no funds available for me continue my schooling / college.  That was 12 years ago and God is still answering the question.  He is developing me for his glory!

To be continued… I welcome your comments!

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Going Deeper – Day Seven

8 ) What spoke most to you in this, chapter.

The morning my mother the beloved Thelma B. Jefferson went home to be with the Lord in the spring of 2006;   I was very audibly awakened by the Holy Spirit.  It was the first time I had ever been awakened in such a way and at the time in the morning.  It was just before 4:00 AM.  Being obedient I got up and began to pray in my heavenly language / tongues.  The night before I had been told I was being recommended for a position to work full-time in ministry and was not completely sure about taking up the offer because it was not in one my strengths area.  I knew it was my destiny to work in ministry, however I was not sure if it was the right season or timing for it.

So, as I began to pray my heart at first was heavy.  As I was led deeper into the spirit and began praising God I felt a peace.  At the end of the hour or so, I lifted my hands up and said ‘Lord, whatever people places or things you must remove out of my life in order for me to walk in your perfect will.  I promise I will not become angry with you.’  As I stated above that was the morning my mother went home to be with the Lord…

Additional life changing events began to unfold shortly thereafter…relationship testing.  I accepted the position and was released and brought back.  Learned my boyfriend/fiancé of 6 years was cheating on me.  My finances were hit, the list goes on.  However through it all I kept my promise of not getting angry with God.

Yet, our relationship became one of duty bound because I was trying to shield myself from being hurt again, versus one of release and restoration.  Reading this chapter and doing the Bible Study showed me that.  Real power comes from learning how to release your cares wants and desires back to God.  He has a specific purpose for each of us and if we are bogged down, with burdens he did not want us to carry, we can miss the mark.  Then what most of us do is look towards God and asking him why? When, we were the cause of it all; for we had stepped out of the protection that is found in being intimate with him.

To be continued…

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Going Deeper – Day Six

7) Read Matthew 11:28-30. Circle key words and mediate on these verses-really think about Jesus is saying.  Then memorize this passage phrase by phrase.  Write it on an index card, and refer to it frequently, repeating it until it becomes a part of you.

Mark 11:28-30 (King James Version)

²⁸And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

²⁹And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

³⁰The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

Mark 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible)

²⁸And they kept saying to Him, By what [sort of] authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do them?

²⁹Jesus told them, I will ask you a question. Answer Me, and then I will tell you by what [sort of] authority I do these things.

³⁰Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me

What I received from this passage is this.  Before you question someone else’s motives for doing something, evaluate your own.  Jesus was baptized in the natural by John the Baptist as it was preordained in the scriptures.  However, he was given heavenly authority to do what he did on Earth by God.  He was heavenly appointed.  The voice of God was heard audibly that day; it was manifested and could not be mistaken.  If you read the verses before this passage and after, you will see it was the chief priests and scribes of the temple of Jerusalem that asked him this question. However, because he knew who he was and who had sent he was able to BOLDLY ask the same question they had asked him.  Their reply was “We cannot tell.”  Why? Could not these men of God answer him confidently? Simply, because they were more concerned on what the people would say or do.  Their reverence was misplaced.

To be continued…

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

I recently finished reading having a Mary Heart in a Martha World – Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver.  A book I now highly recommend for all women, young and old to read.  For the next 12 weeks, I plan to share my findings as I journey through the accompanying Bible Study Mrs. Weaver placed at the end of the book.

Going Deeper – Day Four

5) What does the Bible say in the following verses about our potential for change?

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (King James Version)

²⁶A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

²⁷And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (King James Version)

¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Philippians 1:6 (King James Version)

⁶Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior we gain the benefit of receiving a new heart and spirit the Master’s own.  Through this exchange we are also made anew, our old ways are casted away.  This is the essence of being changed, renewed.  All we have to do in order to maintain these benefits is remain confident in the fact a good work has been created in us and be obedient to the God’s words and ways.

To be continued…

The previous article can be found here.

Lela Jefferson – http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com