Sunday Scripture

 

I'm planning to post Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to get it, though it might not be of a lot more use to you this year.  You could save it for next year!  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This first week's verses are focused on Hope.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 6.

S= "And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He shall rise to reign over the nations; in Him shall the nations trust.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."  (Romans 15:12-13)

O= The book of Romans was a letter written by Paul to the Roman Christians.  His intent was to share with them the doctrines of grace which had been communicated to him.  In this section, Paul is showing both Jewish and Gentile believers the necessity of glorifying God.

In verse 12, Paul quotes Isaiah 11:1 and 10 -- "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots ... To Him shall the nations seek, and His rest shall be glorious."

This is referring to the glory of the future kingdom to be set up when Christ -- the Son of David (and thus, "of the stem of Jesse", David's father) -- returns in glory.

Because of this, as seen in Romans 15:13, we have hope!  The God of hope is able to fill us with all joy and peace in believing.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can abound in hope!

A= I am encouraged and excited as I see another instance of how God's Word fits together.  It's exciting to see how the first part of Isaiah's prophecy--"there shall be a root of Jesse" has been fulfilled -- and to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the second part will also be fulfilled in God's timing.

I love how God is referred to in verse 13 as "the God of hope", and I love the fact that He is able to fill believers with all joy and peace in believing.  Am I exhibiting that?

J B Phillips paraphrases this prayer:  "May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant and alive."

Someone has said, "Of all people, the Christian should be the one who manifests the inner strength (and Spirit) to look ahead with a contagious enthusiasm. God has given us hope, the absolute certainty of that God will do good to us in the future."

P= "Lord, I thank You for the promises in Your Word.  I praise You that You keep your promises!

"I thank and praise You too for sending Your Son to be our Savior, and for the power of Your Holy Spirit who is able to fill us with all joy and peace in believing.  

"Help me, Lord, to abound in hope -- and to glorify You as others observe Your joy and peace in me.  May my testimony point them to You -- the God of hope.  I thank You for all You'll do, in the hope-filling name of Jesus, Amen."

And there's our simple Sunday Scripture for this first Sunday of December!