Ladies Painting Party May 18th!

Join us for a fun evening of creating and girl time!
Never painted before?

They'll even give you some stencil help so no excuses

Where: Paiting with a Twist

Corner of Lovell Rd and Murdock Rd 

just up from the Harley Shop

When: Sat night May 18th
6:30pm-8:30pm

Cost: $35
includes canvas, all paints,
tools/supplies, apron, instructor

There are only 40 spaces available so sign up soon!
(Register in church lobby and
view/vote on our design option then )

Snacks and drinks provided

Hope to see you there!

Tools for Bible Study

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

Getting Started - Before you get started consider the following:

• When will you read? Do you have a consistent time?
• Where will you read? Do you have a consistent place?
• What will you read? Do you have a plan
• What do you need? Do you have a Bible, journal, pen and highlighter?

One of the most important things you can do before you study the Bible is pray.  Pray that God would:

• Open your mind to understand the riches of His Word.
• Open your eyes to see the beautiful wonders of Christ and the glories of the gospel.
• Unite your heart to fear His name, knowing that your desires are ever divided.
• Satisfy you with His steadfast and unfailing love.

Choosing what to read - Some people choose to read the entire Bible in a year, which involves 3-4 chapters a day (there are 1,189 chapters in the Bible).

• Others choose to read the Bible in three years, about one chapter a day.
• One chapter from the book of Proverbs and one Psalm could be added to each daily portion for the practical and worshipful aspects of daily living.
• Proverbs has 31 chapters, and many people read one chapter in the book of Proverbs daily.
• In determining the length of the passage you want to read and study, remember that you want to read that which can be read thoroughly.

Reading the Bible effectively
It is possible to read without having read anything! There have been times when you have read an entire page in a book, then realized you had no idea what you had just read.
1)      Read out loud
2)      Read carefully
3)      Read alertly, not mechanically
4)      Read slowly, weighing each word
5)      Read repeatedly. Read a passage over and over again

Step One: Observation | What do you see?
Your primary concern is what does the Bible say?
1)      Observe the basic facts in the text you are studying. This is the matter of the contents-what is said.
2)      Ask questions to discover additional facts by more intense observation.
Ask some standard questions:
Who is…
…the author?
…the audience?
…being discussed?
…accomplishing the action?
Where is…
…the author?
…the audience?
…the action taking place?
What is the…
…meaning of this word?
…significance of this phrase?
…implication of this statement?
…overarching theme?
Why did the author…
…choose this word?
…include this phrase?
…use this command?
…connect these ideas?
…not say ____?

3)      Mark up the passage. Don’t be afraid to write in your Bible. Circle, underline and highlight. Write in the margins. Get creative.

4)      List 2-3 overarching themes you see in the passage.

5)      List at least two observations per verse. The more the merrier.

Step Two: Interpretation | What does it mean?
Guidelines for interpreting the Bible:
1)      Always try first to interpret the Bible literally.

2)      Those who constantly try to find hidden meanings in the Bible instead of taking it literally have done a great deal of harm.  The “Golden Rule of Interpretation” —”When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. Take every word at its primary literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context stated clearly indicate otherwise.”

3)      Unique interpretations are usually wrong. Uniqueness can often be attributed to pride (an attempt to “out clever” the rest of the world).

4)      Don’t assume too readily that you know what the text means.

5)      All possible interpretations of a verse are not equally good.

6)      A dangerous approach to Bible study today: What does this mean to me? A passage cannot mean to me something substantially different from what it meant to its original human author and readers. Do not ask, what can this be made to teach? But rather, what was this intended to teach?

What did God want those first readers of Scripture to understand?

Tips for interpreting the Bible:
1)      Consider the context.
2)      Compare multiple translations (ESV, NASB, NIV, HCSB).
3)      Look up key words.
4)      Check out cross-references to see how this passage relates to others.
5)      When stumped, list out all the various options and pros and cons of each. After due consideration, use supplemental resources such as the ESV Study Bible or commentaries for helpful insights and background information.
6)      Don’t stop until you have considered how this passage fits into the overarching redemptive plan of God – the gospel. How does this passage relate to the person and work of Christ?
7)      Discuss insights and questions with your spouse and LifeGroup community.

Step Three: Application | What do I do with it?
Bible study is incomplete until you have thought through how to apply the particular passage to your life. Some passages will be more readily applicable than others, but all Scripture is useful and helpful (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

1)      List out a number of potential applications. To get started, here are a few questions to consider:

• Is there an example for you to follow?
• Is there a sin to repent of and/or avoid?
• Is there a promise to trust?
• Is there a prayer to repeat?
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a condition to meet?
• Is there a verse to memorize?
• Is there an erroneous view exposed?
• What else is the Lord pressing upon you?

2)      Choose one or two particular applications and prayerfully consider how you might pursue greater faithfulness in them. Be specific about what you will do (or not do) and whom you will ask (in addition to the Lord) to help you.
Further Resources:

• Consider a Bible reading plan.  Many plans are available on your computer, Smart Phone or Tablet.  Visit www.youversion.com for more information on these.
• Read Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks, or go through this study as a LifeGroup.  http://www.livingbythebook.net/

Stressed-Less Living

Looks like this week's theme of Devotions are dealing with Stress. Today's devotion is from Stephanie Clayton of Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Please leave a comment or send us an email if you have a prayer request, praise report, or would like to share how the Lord has shown you to handle the stresses in life.  Have a blessed week!! 

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave." Psalm 107:19-20 (NIV)

As I sat in my abnormal psychology class, my face turned red and my heart raced. I remembered the small black box hiding under my blouse. A few days before, the cardiologist had given me a monitor and instructed me to hit a button on it every time my heart sped. It was happening again, and this time in a classroom.

That day, my class was learning about people who have frequent physical complaints with no organic cause. What if that was me?? What if my heart issues were nothing more than stress and anxiety? I actually hoped the doctor would find something physically wrong with my heart so she wouldn't scrawl "crazy girl" on my medical chart.

Over the next few months, with more testing, my doctor determined low thyroid levels were the organic basis for my heart problems. I began taking prescription medication, however my heart issues continued. Curious as to why, I began writing down what was happening during the times my heart raced.

It occurred when I made a class presentation and when I walked alone in a dark parking lot. It happened when I faced confrontation and when certain people came around me. After a week of writing these triggers down, I realized my heart issues were in part related to anxiety.

A Christian girl shouldn't struggle with anxiety, should she? Especially one majoring in counseling. I wanted desperately to hide the struggle attacking me physically and emotionally, but it was getting difficult to function. Christian counseling helped me process the cause of my anxiety. I also dug into
God's Word. Psalm 107:19-20 spoke volumes to my situation.

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave."

I chose to believe and trust in the scripture map found in Psalm 107:19-20. Cry out... trust Him to save me... His Word would heal me... and I would be rescued from the grave.

To begin, I got real with God about my pain. He already knew my heart, but crying out to Him helped me swallow my pride and acknowledge that He is capable of what I am not.

Next, I chose to trust that He would save me. When I doubted the promises of His Word, I prayed that He would help me overcome my unbelief.

Then I acknowledged the healing power of His Word. At first, I believed lies such as I am unlovable and will never be good enough. These lies were much louder than the scriptures I read. However, the more I repeated verses and altered my behavior to His commands, belief began to manifest.

Last, I consented to a rescue from the grave. I hadn't been eager for freedom because anxiety was a method of control. As long as I worried, I felt in control. If Christ was going to rescue me from the grave of anxiety, I would have to give up control and trust Him. And that seemed scary! But even scarier was the idea of continued physical and emotional death. Choosing to trust Him involved a shift in my focus. I chose to see and accept the good in my life and to focus on what I could learn in this difficult season. Trusting Him meant choosing joy in the present over despair.

It's been several years since that day in abnormal psychology class wearing my heart monitor. I've come to realize that although stress, anxiety, and worry will always try to attack us, they don't have permission to infiltrate our heart and mind. Only God has permission to do that. We can battle anxiety with Scripture truth that God is in control, has plans for us, and there is no need to be anxious over circumstances. He is our healer, rescuer, Savior. He is our freedom from the grave of anxiety, stress, and worry.

Dear Lord, help me trust You, consent to Your healing, and spend time in Your Word and in prayer. Rescue me from my distress and from the grave. Thank You for caring about my life and that I can be free from stress. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles
Do you feel attacked constantly by stress or worry? Join the Online Bible Study of Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles. You'll find a community of other women walking toward freedom from anxiety together. This group is led by Melissa Taylor. Click here to sign up and find more information.

Visit Stephanie Clayton's blog for more encouragement.

Reflect and Respond:
Write out the scripture map from Psalm 107:19-20. Cry out... trust Him to save you... His Word would heal you... and you would be rescued from the grave.
Over the next 24 hours, walk each step out.

Power Verse:
Psalm 94:19, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." (NIV 1984)

Mar 2013 Sometimes the most important decision is no decision

Ladies, I wanted to share this blog article from one of my favorite Christian leaders, Glynnis Whitwer.  This is an incredible reminder and tip in keeping the Lord in the middle of our busy and chaotic lives.  Be Blessed!   - Kim D.

Have you ever had one of those seasons when you feel like a tsunami has swept wave after wave of deadlines, problems and needs over you? With no break in between waves?

That’s been the last four months for me.

Rather than make a list (which might sound like I’m soliciting sympathy or bragging about how busy my life has been), suffice it to say,  I’ve had more big deadlines, more family needs and more ministry demands than ever in my life.

Last Thursday I met the final deadline in the series of deadlines I’d been facing.  Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday were breathing days for me.  I drove across town and took my college son to Costco, took my mom to lunch (Korean BBQ) did loads of laundry and spent Sunday worshiping and enjoying time with my family.

Now today, I wanted to connect with you. 

I often write about managing your schedule so you don’t live chronically like I’ve done the past four month.  But sometimes situations are completely out of your control.  And that’s pretty much what happened to me.

Sometimes things happen and we step up to the plate.  We set aside one set of priorities for another.  We depend more on God’s grace, wisdom and strength than ever before.  We don’t want to always live in this desperate place, but sometimes it happens.  Hopefully we learn some things in the midst of it, and that’s what I want to share with you today.  Here’s one important lesson I’ve learned:

When life feels like a tsunami – with wave after wave hitting you and no break -  the best decision is often no decision.

Here’s what I mean by that. When I get overwhelmed, my emotions get in a jumbled mess.  I’m usually tired.  Cranky. Frustrated.  And annoyed. My normal logical processing shorts out.
If I make a decision in the midst of that chaos, it’s not normally based on truth.  Therefore, it’s not usually the wisest choice for me.

So, when when my worlds collide, I hold off on big decisions.

I don’t quit any responsibility.  I don’t add any responsibility.

And I don’t respond to people until I can do so in love.  I will often save emails in draft for a few days.

But what I will do is draw in closer to God.  Retreat for moments.  Focus on one verse.  Ask for wisdom.  Ask for peace. God and I have a running conversation. I’ve learned  in those demanding seasons, my heart can stray from where I really want it to be.  And I want it to be here:

• Grounded in truth.
• Secure in God’s love.
• Relying on His strength and wisdom, not mine.

We all have these crazy seasons.  Especially when our lives are interconnected with others, and we are walking out the Gospel to live with an obedient and servant’s heart.  Sometimes we get ourselves into these messes and sometimes God has a really big job and calls us into a demanding season. 

Either way.  It’s good to have some principles for life during those times.

One of mine is to not make decisions based on the chaos of the moment. I’ve avoided a lot of regrets with this principle.

What are some principles you live by when life gets crazy?  I’d love to hear from you.

In His love,
Glynnis

2 Important Annoucements

• NorthStar is looking for those who know sign language (ASL). If you would like to use that gift in the body of NorthStar, please contact Brad Raby at braby@northstatknox.com. 

• There will be no Wednesday night services March 27 during Knox County Spring Break

 Have a GREAT WEEK!! 

Easter Service at the Tennessee Theatre!!

 

Make your plans now to spend Easter with NorthStar at the Tennessee Theatre! Reserve your tickets now at www.northstarknox.com.

New Study & Workshop starts April 4th!

Check out our Womens Ministry page at http://northstarknox.org
to sign up and get more details on both of these great opportunities
to connect and grow together!

Starting Thursdays April 4th at 6:30pm
for 6 weeks @ our Sherrill Campus
Sign up in the lobby on Sundays
or online at http://northstarknox.org

 

 We can know why we react the way we do to some situations
and some people, and we can change how we respond...

 

 

also starting Thursdays April 4th at 6:30pm
for 6 weeks @ our Carmichael Campus
Sign up in teh lobby on Sundays
or online at http://northstarknox.org

Organize for your sanity & income, eat more inexpensively,
and stay on a budget - you CAN do it!