From The Heart, Chapter 3

By JANA HENRY|CONTRIBUTOR

“Scripture calls us to things that are utterly counterintuitive, utterly countercultural, and demanding in the extreme, but Scripture shows us the Savior and His bride. This glorious sight motivates us to live under God’s authority and to serve Him through the local church, for His glory and our good. Falling in love with Christ means falling in love with His Church.”[1]

The whole process of sanctification is countercultural, when we realize that if we are going to walk worthy of our salvation, we must not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing our mind. We need our affections for Christ to grow so we can loosen our grip on this world. And as our affections for Christ grow, so must our affections for His bride, for together we are members of His body. Continue reading “From The Heart, Chapter 3”

Looking to Jesus, Chapter 3

By BARBARANNE KELLY|CONTRIBUTOR

We’ve all seen them, the posters (or posts) of a lovely scene with a woman throwing her arms wide with abandon, or walking away from the camera with purposeful step, overlaid with a quote meant to inspire, saying something like:

“Sometimes walking away is the only option. Not because you want to make someone miss you, or realize they took you for granted. But because you finally respect yourself enough to know that you deserve better.”

The memes are many. Whatever the specific quote, the message is clear. Don’t trust other people because they will deplete, disappoint, hurt, reject, abandon, or take you for granted. The solution: Keep a cool distance. Protect yourself. Walk away. Continue reading “Looking to Jesus, Chapter 3”

From The Heart, Chapter 2

By JANA HENRY|CONTRIBUTOR

“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119: 18

One way scripture memory has been so meaningful to me is how repetition has opened my eyes to the height of God’s love for me in new and wondrous ways. This week we talked about the biblical foundations for women’s ministry in the church. From scripture, we brought out the beauty of God’s created and covenantal design for womanhood, and we concluded that these truths have been squelched in today’s culture. It is a vital task of women’s ministry to teach these truths and equip women to live out their God-given design, so that we may know the love of Christ in all its fullness.[1] Continue reading “From The Heart, Chapter 2”

From The Heart, Chapter 1

By JANA HENRY|CONTRIBUTOR

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

Psalm 119 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. I love the psalms to begin with; so rich they are with words of prayer, praise, and petition to God. In Psalm 119, the psalmist pours forth his love for the word of God in 176 verses, using some of the most beautiful techniques of Hebrew poetry to paint his picture for us. My heart gets wrapped up in praise with the psalmist every time I read it. I love the Scriptures! I love reading them, and studying them, alone with God and with others. My passion for women’s ministry flows out of my love for Him and His Word. Continue reading “From The Heart, Chapter 1”