**For all “The Old Paths” bible study lessons, you may wan to print off the posts so you can actually write on the pages. Today’s post is our third lesson. Also, I have been trying to post this one lesson since Saturday morning around 8:30. I made 2 videos to you while I was out walking early that same morning and hurried home to add them to this post. Well, I got home, plugged in my phone and “somehow” I managed to NOT do the updates on my phone that were necessary for me to upload the video off my phone, but I “back-upped” my phone to 2015!!! Yes, all my contacts, all my business information (tax ID#’s, log-ins, passwords, stored dates/client info, etc.) everything is gone!!
I did get the first video to upload but the second one is no longer on my phone…it’s floating in the cloud somewhere, and I hope and pray that when I go to the Apply store tonight at my 6:25 appointment, they will be able to return my iPhone to where is was before. I SERIOUSLY ask, if you are reading this on Monday morning, to pray that my phone will be able to restored because right now, I have nothing on my phone for all of 2016 and 2017…and with our business, I kept everything on my phone. Login’s and Passwords to so many business online tools, etc., that I stored it all in Contacts. BUT I did post 1 of my videos, and after tonight I hope to post the 2nd video that is part of this lesson. IF you get to the end of this one lesson and you see 2 videos, then you’ll know… Apple Genius Bar is the bomb!! haha!
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Hey ladies!
As I sit here and type this out to you, there is something happening that hardly ever happens ….
the house is quiet. Pure-de quiet. Not one sound…
no dogs are not barking; no Fox News is on; no saws or compressors running…
total and complete silence because Rip and Trace went out for the night (get some food and to the movies), and I got to stay here in this house … alone. And I just have to tell you –
this quiet house is absolutely the most perfect place. And here’s why…
It’s Good Friday.
I finally got some time to stop – be still – and allow my mind and my heart to reflect on where Jesus was, what was happening to Him, and all that happened on this one day so many thousands of years ago.
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Last week we looked closer at our first stone along this old path. Our first stone is one I call “The Stone of Knowledge and Purpose.” We took a stone and wrote on it Jeremiah 1:5.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5
Take a moment now to pray and thank the Lord for the promise and hope of Jeremiah 1:5 in your life.
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Now, let’s open our Bibles to Matthew 27; or with each reference I have imbedded a link to the NKJV — > Read Matthew 27
When you read of the crucifixion of Jesus, what thoughts come to your mind?
In your Bible, underline verses 60 and 66.
As we celebrate Easter, there is a stone for us that is right at the beginning of this “old path.” It’s a stone that deserves to be recognized because of what it symbolizes. It’s the stone that was rolled in front of the tomb of Jesus’ grave. It wasn’t just a large sealed stone that was rolled and guarded in front of the tomb to make people aware of His death. It was a large sealed stone that was rolled and guarded in front of the tomb to make people aware of the POWER OF OUR RISEN SAVIOR!
God knew what He was doing when He prompted Joseph to roll the stone in front of the tomb.
God knew what He was doing when He promoted the order to have the stone sealed and guarded.
God knew what He was doing when HE ROLLED THE STONE AWAY!
This Easter, we celebrate a Risen Savior! A Savior who was resurrected from the dead. Which in Greek means, He “stood again!” He stood to His feet by the resurrection power of God. But that isn’t all …. He walked out! He walked out of the tomb of death and walked on the path that we ALL begin to walk on the moment we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is the old path that is called “NEW LIFE.”
Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
The application of that stone having been rolled away by the mighty hand of God, our Father, in sending an angel from heaven is just tremendous for us.
Could Jesus have walked right on through the stone when it was time for Him to come out of the grave? Let’s go to John 20:19 and see.
“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.”
Locked doors didn’t keep Jesus out. He now had His glorified body and could appear anywhere; no wood or stone could restrict His entrances!
So, why did God want the stone rolled away by His angel?
Why do you think that was His plan?
Why didn’t He simply have Jesus walk through the stone and leave it sealing the tomb?
Why didn’t He allow the stone to STAY in front of the tomb sealed and guarded and Jesus simply appear on the other side?
Think about this…why did God want the stone rolled away?
Remember, Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father accept through Me.” John 14:6 Click HERE to see this one verse in 3 translations.
Here’s why I believe the stone was rolled away and what it means for us today.
Write in your journal or in a bible study notebook for this bible study time together, your thoughts on this one question?
“Where in your life are you not experiencing the resurrected life? What area in your life do you seem to have more spirit defeats than victories?”
Are there strongholds in your life that are keeping you from walking in true freedom? Strongholds such as fear, self-pity, worry, anxiety, the need to be right or to be in control, the stronghold of perfectionism, or competition? Is there a relationship in your life that needs the resurrecting power of God’s redeeming or reconciling love? How is your marriage? How is your relationship with your children? How are things going with your siblings, your parents, your in laws? How are things going with certain friends…neighbors? The enemy delights in discord … but the Lord delights in mercy. He also delights in those He can trust – people who demonstrate trustworthiness in their relationships – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22
Have you experienced loss? Grief is so real, my friend. It is felt all over the body, the mind, the emotions. True grief is not a stronghold, but if grieving is not bathed in the healing balm of the Word of God it can become a real emotion that Satan will take hold of. He is not merciful and he does not relent in his efforts because he sees us grieving. Friend, if that is you, please allow me to encourage you to rest your grief into the hands of your Maker. Go to His Word and rest your emotions in the promises and the peace He has for you there. I’m not saying don’t grieve, but instead grieve with God. For His Word is His heart and He will love you through your loss in such a way like you’ve never experienced from Him before.
Look up Psalm 34:18 and write it out.
Look up Psalm 16:11 and write it out, too.
Who is He near? _____________
And in His presence is what? ___________
God is near to the brokenhearted and where He is, there is joy.
And we know this about our Father’s joy; His joy is Jesus. Jesus came and made our joy complete, and with complete joy, we have hope! Jesus is our Living Hope – the anchor to our souls!
Look up and write down in your notebook what comes to your mind and your heart as you read (in Scripture) what you just read in the above sentences. Read – John 15:11, 1 Timothy 4:10, 1 Peter 1:3, and Hebrews 6:18-20.
The truths and promises of these verses keep us settled and at peace in the very core of our being. Jesus is NO LONGER behind that great stone! No stone could keep Him from coming forth out of that grave and no stone will keep YOU in the grave of grief either!
Take the time today to write down any area of your life where you know you are not living in His resurrection power and this weekend we are going to look deeper into Scripture to discover just how we can.
Make your list this week…simply write down the area or areas of your life where you long to experience the open hand of God. ( In Scripture, the Hand of God means the Activity of God). Maybe you can go for walk? Sit under a tree? Walk along a stream or pond? Sit on a sandy beach and listen to the ocean?
Slowing down is an art. It is a true art of self discipline and it’s my prayer that all of us on this journey down the old paths will paint such masterpieces of holy living as God has in mind for each of us.
I’ll see you back here this weekend!
Gathering Up Stones,
lisa
Thank you for these lessons. I just started them and I’m so excited !!
Great!! I am posting on the BLOG, too, a time of teaching that is still the Being a Godly Woman study but is current…I’m teaching at our local church, so if you’d like to join us there, too!! 🙂