Between the Lines

Bible Study and Thoughts for Women







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Looking for Contentment…Day 12:Things that Steal our Joy

Daily Bible study excerpts from my book: Looking for Contentment in All the Wrong Places 

Thing 7 – FEAR (By Judy Hughes)

All of the previous things, not enough light, too many distractions and worrying and complaining will steal our joy and cause our Christian walk to be bleak and discouraging.  Let us determine to be a joyful person, pressing on toward a higher calling (Philippians 3:14).

  • What are some other words that describe fear?
  • What is your most precious thing in life?
  • What would you hate to lose the most if it were taken away suddenly?

On a scale of one to 10, rate the following items according to your “fear scale” with 10 being the worst and 1 being least.

  • ___Pain
  • ___Safety
  • ___economic ruin
  • ___dependence on others
  • ___personal death
  • ___rejection
  • ___terrorism
  • ___losing youthfulness
  • ___losing usefulness
  • ___children’s well being
  • ___unknown
  • ___judgment
  • ___death of loved ones
  • ___personal health
  • ___stormy weather

Which of the above, do you feel is within your power of control?
Which of the above, do you feel is within God’s control?

Could any of these fears be sub-rooted in sin? ( i.e. the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, pride of life  I John 2:16) If so, think of an example and your reasoning for it.

Fill in the missing words from the listed scriptures:

  1. Ps. 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of _______________”
  2. Prov. 1:7   “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of _______________”
  3. Prov. 10:77 “The fear of the Lord prolongs ______________________”
  4. Prov. 15:33 “The fear of the Lord is instruction in ________________”
  5. Prov. 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to ____________________ …”
  6. Mt. 10:28 “Do not fear those who ________the body but rather fear him who can destroy both _________and _________in hell.”
  7. Lk. 12:5 “Fear him who, after he has ____________, has ______________to cast into ____________.”

Conclusion:  Whom or what are we told to fear?

I John 4:18

  • Circle the contrast word “but”.
  • What is being contrasted?
  • Why?  Circle the reason word “because”

The word “torment” has to do with punishment, or of a penalty.

Hi-lite the main idea of this verse: “perfect love casts out fear”

Underline

  • “no fear in love”
  • “fear involves torment”

“he who fears has not been made perfect”

What do you think is the underpinning of all of our fears?  I would say lack of faith.

2 Timothy 1:12

  • Circle “for this reason”.  Draw a line connecting this to verse 11 (underline) “a preacher an apostle and a teacher”.
  • Circle “nevertheless”.
  • Hi-lite “I am not ashamed”
  • Why? Circle the reason word “for”
  • Underline “I know”, “I have believed”, “am persuaded”
  • Put brackets around “He is able to keep what I have committed to Him” and put a heart above this.

Faith is what kept Paul going in spite of his fears.  What keeps you going?

Consider the words to the 3rd verse of the song “I Know Whom I Have Believed”

“I know not what of good or ill May be reserved for me,
of weary ways or golden days, before His face I see.
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that He is able
to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”

James McGranahan & El nathan