Week 15

January 16, 2008

The Way to Go Lightly

Week 14 Homework Review

Theme verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. And may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who called you is faithful, and He will do it.

Finish this sentence.

If nothing changes, nothing changes. If something changes, something changes.

Our desire is that we change. How is it that we change? Call on the power of the Holy Spirit that is within you and call your accountability partner. Sometimes you will not and you will fail.

Like last week. I allowed satan to take my thoughts captive. I allowed myself to fall into the trap of self absorption and self focused. Instead of calling my accountability sister, I remained in my “selfishness” and said and did things I regret.

Why? Nothing changed. I didn’t make the call. The call to prayer and the call to my accountability partner. Will I make it the next time? Pray that I will. I pray that you will too.

What is that call for? It is for me to take a “different” look at my situation. When you are under the influence of the enemy, you cannot get yourself back on track. An alcoholic craves alcohol. A selfish person craves the attention of man.

Galatians 5:19
19Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
There are two kingdoms: The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of satan. While on earth, we are constantly choosing one or the other. Obviously our goal is to choose the Kingdom of Heaven/God with our every decision. Often times, we don’t.
You see, when we choose to act according to the Kingdom of satan, we are replicating the devil instead of replicating Jesus. No wonder the lost are lost. They continue seeing satan’s kingdom in us.

Matthew 12:26And if Satan drives out Satan, he has become divided against himself and disunified; how then will his kingdom last or continue to stand?

Matthew 3:2And saying, Repent ( think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,
Last week, Kelly talked to us about our gifts and talents.

Romans 12:6Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith

Jesus was here on earth for a very short 33 years and during the last 3 years of his life on earth he spent raising up and training future apostles. Today we call them Christians or Christ followers.

2 Corinthians 3:18And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit

We are commanded to reproduce ourselves;

Isaiah 54:17But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.

Romans 1:15 (Amplified Bible)

15 So, for my part, I am willing and eagerly ready to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Matthew 25:14 begins the parable of the talents. A master had three servants of whom he gave one five talents (gold, silver or copper), one he gave two talents, one he gave one talent. The first two duplicated their talent but the third did nothing with his talent. The master rewarded the first two but the third he took the talent away plus the relationship between him and his servant was destroyed.

What comparison is this with our lives as a Christ follower?

Let’s look at verses 27-29 as the master is speaking to the third servant.
27Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest.

28So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
29For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be [a]furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.

Kelly and I are going to encourage each of you to discover your talent/gift and use it to multiply the Kingdom of Heaven. I believe the rewards will be here on earth where we will be asked by our God to take more responsibility and into eternity. The present kingdom here on earth and for eternity because we will also be rewarded in heaven when we die.

*Hillary outing
*Did you invite another member of the group over to your house for lunch?
*Did you check out a veggie cookbook and bring in a recipe to share?
*Prayer box – Kelly explains
*Accountability partner – do you need one? Do you have someone you can call and say, HELP, I am under attack and don’t want to take another drink of satan’s poison?


Homework for Proverbs - Chapter 14

As you begin your homework, take a minute to be thankful. J

Colossians 3:15 (Amplified Bible) And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

1. Proverbs 14:1 NCV -A wise woman strengthens her family, but a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.

I had mixed emotions about this verse. My emotional side wanted to scream, “Another verse to make me feel guilty”. Being a “home maintainer” is a huge responsibility. I don’t want to feel guilty any more about not having the “perfect Christian” family. Where does that guilt come from?

I searched a commentary to find the usual clichéd narrative to this verse: A godly wife attends to her house and her family. The foolish woman neglects her husband and children, and wonders why her family goes to ruin.

OK, that’s sounds perfect. I am not. It has guilt written all over it. I try to do the best I can with the cards I have been dealt in this game of LIFE. This includes our spiritual condition, our mental condition, and our physical condition. I am thankful for that 1/3 perfect part of me. Knowing that my spirit is born again and I am forgiven from past, present and future sin, creates in me a willingness to persevere. (Defined: to continue without halting…….going forward without looking back…….carry on….) Stop the guilt. Press on for Jesus.

Luke 7:48 And He said to her, Your sins are forgiven!

Luke 14:27Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.

3. What is your cross? Cross defined: something hard to bear emotionally or physically.

Write out at least one “cross” that you are bearing: Be specific and detailed. This is between you and God unless you want to share it with the class.

My cross to bear – it’s between me and God.

4. vs 2 Define the word: upright (verb (ACTION) meaning: having or marked by uprightness in principle and action (honest) also means: vertical - between you and God Define respect: (verb – appreciate) Define the word: evil (sinful), perverse (unwilling to yield and do what is righteous), corrupt) and devious (without a fixed or regular course) crooked!The Way means: Imitating Jesus The wrong way means: imitating satan

5. vs 3 I need to hear this over and over until I get it in my head. We will be punished for our foolish words. Define the word punished: _discipline/correct__________________Why again does God correct us? Because he loves us. What Proverb says so? Proverbs 3:12 12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

6. vs 7 Why does God command us to stay away from foolish women and men? Because they are filled with unwise knowledge, that which you are not to fill your mind with.

7. vs 8 says that a wise woman gives thought to how she acts (her foolish ways) and does something about it but an unwise woman pushes her foolish ways into suppression and pretends they don’t exist. Here is your opportunity to look at another layer of protection that you carrying around in your heart. Write it out. Talk about it to a kindred born-again spirit. God will release it from you because you contain the power of His Holy Spirit within you to do so.

8. vs 10 No one else can know your sadness because they have not walked in your shoes. Sometimes we have tried to share ourselves with people along the way but only in vain. Who knows you more than your Father?

Matthew 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Share your bitterness, sadness, frustrations, concerns, worries, animosities, hurts, disappointments with Him. He understands. He knows you. Listen for His answer. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

9. vs 12 There is a way (path/journey) that seems right (I’m doing the right thing) to a woman (that’s you!), BUT in the end (after time passes and the hindsight is revealed) it leads to death. Wow! What does death mean in this verse? Along the journey it might seem you are taking the straight path that might lead to success and happiness but contentment and joy never come because the world can only offer death not LIFE. The path of death is the detour off “The Way”. Can you lose your salvation? I believe that true salvation cannot be lost. 2 Tim 2:13 If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself (Research that answer before saying yes or no) What way leads to life?

Proverbs 12:28In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. What is the definition of LIFE? The Kingdom of God leads to life.

Ever been to an event where everyone is laughing; perhaps a wedding or birthday party? V 13 says that even in laughter the heart may be sad inside. When the laughter ends, the sad still remains. How can you be different? How can you have joy always in spite of your circumstances? Only through the power of the Holy Spirit. Self-willed will not work.

10. vs 14 ---backslider - to slip from a higher or better condition to a former lower or poorer one, perverse – in opposition to faithless – not true to your acknowledge belief in Jesus Christ and evil – destructive/harmful are words used by different versions of the Bible. What do these words mean? Look them up! J

Perhaps you thought…..”I am too “good a person” to be called one of those names. A backslider…Oh that is Suzy S. who stopped coming to church…not like me. I come every Sunday! Be careful! Or maybe perverse is referring to a murderer or an adulterous or someone who smokes and cusses like the neighbor I wave to, or the dishonest politician or the fakey Pentecostals or my husband who falls asleep during the sermon or the tv evangelist caught in a gay relationship. Backslider in your mind might be a kinder word than evil. We use that word flippantly when we have not done our daily devotions for a month or so. It is an “acceptable” word sometimes…oh well, God forgives me. But take a deeper look and apply this verse to you. But please do not take another guilt trip…beating yourself up for all the things you do wrong….or just can’t get it right…..won’t ever be holy but instead base your response on what we have been learning about. What does this verse say to you about becoming whole spiritually, mentally and physically? Backslider defined: Slipping from a higher or better condition to a lower or poorer one! Wow!!!

11. vs 15 and 16 a fallen world, every form of knowledge that comes your way needs to be interpreted using the Word of God. Are you believing everything you hear? Emails are filled with lies, people are feeding you lies, doctors are feeding you lies, salesmen are feeding you lies, politicians are feeding you lies, church friends are feeding you lies….. Why according to verse 15 and 16 do you believe them? Because I didn’t think it through before I acted on it. I didn’t pray before I spoke. I reacted in the flesh.

12. vs 17 define quick – brief, fast, hasty, hurried_ define temper _a tendency to become angry or irritable; a person’s customary manner of emotional response. Mood. Is one of your layers defensiveness? _Yes, because I don’t trust and because I am afraid of being abandoned or rejected___ Perhaps insecurity __lacking stability in God’s Word ___ Not confident in what God thinks of you? Only man _Yes, reprogramming would be a great idea!___ Peel that layer back and defensive talk (quick temperament) stems from insecurity and confidence in who you are in Christ. Nothing else.

I’m preaching to myself...thank you for listening J

13. vs 18 Fools make foolish decisions which results in a foolish outcome and that behavior is repeated until the fool decides one day to follow THE WAY and start making wise decisions. How do you become wise? By obtaining knowledge. Knowledge of what? _what the Word says. By His stripes we are healed _

14. deeply consider vs 20 and 21. Do you treat the rich better than the poor? Are you intimidated by the rich? Do you feel inadequate around rich people to the extent that you do not feel comfortable around them? Do you stereotype a poor person’s abilities to prosper? Dig inside and cleanse your sin (ask the Holy Spirit to change your desire to act in the natural fleshly response) before it raises its ugly head some day some other way. (like a nervous breakdown, children that won’t speak to you, or spiritual punishment.

15. vs 25 define witness - something visible or evident (that’s you) that gives grounds for believing in the existence or presence of something else (your redemption/salvation). The lost are either seeing Truth in you (that makes your witness powerful) or they see lies in you (that makes the lost repeatedly say: those hypocrites…that’s what is in churches!).What is your witness screaming? TRUTH or lies?

16. vs 26 & 27 – Define fear __Great anxiety caused by the expectation of the unknown. _Reverent fear: humbled of being an heir of God’s Kingdom___ Define respect _admire, have a high opinion of, appreciate, to recognize someone’s worth or importance in your lifeDo I fear and respect the Lord? Again the result is life or death. But you say, “I am saved, I am going to Heaven. I have life eternal guaranteed to me”. Perhaps this is speaking of abundant life versus disease and suffering. What do you think?

17. vs 29 and 30 verify that question. Choosing to be angry and have a hasty temper, be envious and jealous rots our bones. But a tranquil (peace of mind) gives life to the flesh. Is there validity to this? Do you see that the Word of God speaks Truth about your physical body where so many lies have been told we “assume” they are truth. Think this through.

18. Wisdom is not (oops) found in a woman who chooses to follow “The Way to Go Lightly”. A Godly Wise Woman – is that beginning to describe you?

19. On a separate sheet of paper list (in one column) the manmade foods you have eliminated from your diet. If you can’t come up with any, write the ones you know you should eliminate and begin today. They are slowly killing you! In the next column list the God grown foods you have added. Work toward variety for that is the key. Venture away from the ordinary and add variety to your diet. With variety comes all the nutrients God created for you to have amazing health. Steer clear of too much meat especially red meat. Go for beans, nuts and legumes for protein Physical health comes from eating God grown foods. We cannot continue to eat high acidic foods and expect our bodies to be well.

Turn the paper over. Write: Thursday – Wednesday Make note of the amount of time you spend this next week exercising. The pressure is on. Get that pedometer out again. 10,000 steps a day is your goal. Do not give in to the laziness of the flesh. It will convince you to sit instead of move. Moving means Life.

20. Congratulations! You completed the longest homework yet in this course. I am proud of you for giving your homework 100% effort. Well done. You are on your way to becoming the wise and buff woman God created you to be. J



Homework for Chapter 15
Due January 23, 2008

1. vs 1 There is a 100% guarantee that if you give a gentle answer to an angry person’s attack, it will calm them, but if you answer with and unkind response, it will cause them to be more angry.

Site an example of a time when this happened personally to you. Both the gentle you and the unkind you. Which example is harder for you to remember????

2. vs 3 What can you hide from the Lord?

3. vs 4 As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life, but dishonest words crush the spirit. (NCV) You might have an example of how healing the words of a doctor were when they said, “Everything is fine”, or how healing it is for someone to hug you and say, “It’ll be OK”. We all need to receive as well as give healing words to others. What words will you use this week to make your fruit ripen? List 10 healing words and start saying them. WAY to GO!

4. vs 7 Ever think about what lips are for? Why did God create lips? What happens when your lips are open and moving? When they are closed? What is an example of what good can come from lips?

5. vs 10 There is severe disciplines for anyone who quits doing what is right and forsakes “the way”! What does “die” mean in this verse?

6. vs 13 Happiness makes a person smile, (a glad heart makes the face cheerful (speaking of lips…hint hint). Sadness can break the spirit (a broken heart crushes the spirit. What does this mean to you and give an example.

7. vs 13 Do you know of someone that is physically sick because they have a broken heart? Are you? Vs 13 says: …but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. When I read that verse I know how easily your spirit (defined: your get-up-and-go can get-up-and leave) can be broken. But we must remember the power that resides within us is real.

Romans 15:13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit We serve a God of hope; our spirit need not ever be broken although we are in a constant bombardment of the power of satan. Do not allow this but instead call on the power of the Holy Spirit.

8. vs 15 is great! Everyday for the poor is hard. Does this mean financially poor? Well the second half of that verse explains that instead it is talking about what? Include vs 16 in your answer.

9. vs 17 is my argument for eating a vegetable diet. Notice I didn’t say; vegetarian. There are a lot of professed vegetarians that simply do not eat meat, but don’t eat vegetables at all, just a lot of junk. Shouldn’t they be called nonmeatjunkatarians? My point???? Eat God’s food regardless of the confusion and influence of the world’s “healthy” diets!

Do you have a quick temper? Perhaps there is bottled up anger inside you. Vs 18 (NRS) - Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger stop a quarrel. Do the research into your hidden chambers.

Jeremiah 22:13Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his [upper (hidden)] chambers by injusticeAre there buried hurts, pains or unforgiveness? Remember what the only thing that can wash your hidden chambers clean?

Hebrews 10:22Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water God’s Word is alive and sharper than a two-edged sword.

10. vs 23 Conviction L ? Women enjoy giving “good” advice. A word spoken at the right time is a timely word! I have to work on that. J

11. vs 24 (NKJ) “The Way” of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from _____________below. I like the (NCV): Wise people’s lives get better and better. They avoid whatever would cause their death. In sticking with what we have learned so far answer the following questions: What causes spiritual death? What causes mental death? What causes physical death?

12. vs 28 (NRS) The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil. Define ponder: Look up another verse regarding the mouth: There are over 300 of them so it won’t be hard to find one! When a person says: “You are putting words into my mouth”, what exactly does that mean? Could there be some blame shifting going on here?
vs 30 Where does your happiness show? Where does the LIGHT of your heart show through? What makes for good health? Is there a connection between the spirit, mind, and body?
vs 31 (NLT) If you listen to constructive criticism you will be at home with the wise. 32 If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

Define listen:
Define constructive:
Define criticism:
Define correction:
Define wise:
Define understanding:
Now summarize vs 31 and 32 in your own words:


You have been given a copy of a nutrition type magazine. Read at least one article and be prepared to report your findings to the class. Part of changing is to expose yourself to magazines and books that teach you. Make a decision to educate yourself. I have plenty of books to lend out. J


The Way to Go Lightly Schedule for 2008


January 16th – Chapter 14

January 23 – Chapter 15

January 30 – Chapter 16 Pitch-in Dinner at Church - Creative Veggies

February 6 – Chapter 17

February 13 – Chapter 18

February 20 – Chapter 19

February 27 – Chapter 20 Pitch-in Dinner at Church – Wholegrain breads and salads

March 5 – Chapter 21

March 12 – Chapter 22

March 19 – Chapter 23

March 26 – Chapter 24 Pitch-in Dinner at Church – Wholegrain soups

April 2 – Chapter 25

April 9 – Chapter 26

April 16 – Chapter 27

April 23 – Chapter 28

April 30 – Chapter 29 Pitch-in Dinner at Church – wholegrain pastas with life giving sauces

May 7 – Chapter 30

May 14 – Chapter 31

May 21 – Dinner and graduation