Being a Woman of Excellence: Lesson 4

Share your Memory Verses

Discuss Ephesians 6

Change

• To cause to be different: change the spelling of a word.
• To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform: changed the yard into a garden.
• To give and receive reciprocally; interchange: change places.
• To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category: change one’s name; a light that changes colors.
• To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch: change methods; change sides.
• To transfer from (one conveyance) to another: change planes.
• To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency.
• To put a fresh covering on: change a bed; change the baby.
• To become different or undergo alteration: He changed as he matured.
• To undergo transformation or transition: The music changed to a slow waltz.
• To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.
• To make an exchange: If you prefer this seat, I’ll change with you.

What to change?

Why change?

In the human spirit is a desire to grow, learn and better ourselves as human beings.  This inner drive is what has caused all the advancements in our society. It is also what has driven men and women to work tirelessly in order to create the environment that we now see around us in the world, including the relative life of leisure that we live in America.  People want a better life.  We all want change.  It’s part of who we are.

Sadly, in society today, apathy and hopelessness, as well as the devil’s methods of beating down the individual psychologically and spiritually have dampened people’s desires for positive change.  Many in fact see their lives hopeless and therefore they give up, or they change negatively through drugs, alcohol and other addictions.  Some people spend vast amount of their lives sitting on couches and chairs watching television and playing video games. They are changing too. Their butts are getting bigger.  Their minds are getting duller.  They are believing the lies that they see in front of them, and their lives are being transformed to resemble and imitate those lies.

We are all in a state of change.  Matter changes.  It does not stay still.  Time is like a tunnel we move through and in the process of moving, we are changed whether we like it or not. We’re born; we get older and we die.  We change. In the process of change, we do have a choice though. We have a choice of what we want to change into.  The outcome of that choice is real and is determined by our everyday choices now!

The godly process of change

re•pen•tance \ri-‘pent-en(t)s\ n: the action or process of repenting esp. for misdeeds or moral shortcomings syn see PENITENCE

For many, Webster’s definition (above) represents the common understanding of repentance within the structure of faith in God. Man’s action, taken to right a relationship with God, broken by sinfulness for which we do penance. However, there are two New Testament Greek words which are translated repentance in modern English translations: metanoia (including its verbal counterpart metanoeo) and metamelomai. The first term is translated as repentance fifty-eight times in the New Testament, the latter only six times. As we look at repentance we’ll concentrate on the preponderance of the word, metanoia. Prior to the Christian meaning we have inherited, which for the most part is similar to Webster’s definition, the Classical Greek metanoia meant something quite different—changing one’s mind or heart about someone or something.

Repentance has been God’s cry to us as people from the days of old.  The job of the Old Testament prophets was to speak God’s heart to the people.  Most of the time they cried out to the people to repent (turn from their own ways) and turn back to God and follow Him, and His ways. This would always involve change in the people’s lives.

Scripture Readings:

Jeremiah 5:1-6 Ezekiel 14:1-6; 18:30 In the New Testament we encounter John the Baptist and Jesus Himself telling people the same thing. Matthew 3:1-3; 4:12-17

Why should we want to change?

God knows we’re like the dust and we’re going to die.  Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

God understands eternity and doesn’t want you to perish eternally

Luke 13:2-4

Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22

How to change?

Knowing the power of God’s Spirit

One of the major differences between God’s work on earth since the beginning of time and after Yeshua came is the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon mankind.  In the course of history before Yeshua, God gave His Spirit to just a few. The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Messiah) was given to whoever believed in Yeshua once He died and was resurrected.  John 20: 21-22 So Yeshua said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

In the Tenakh the first example we see of God giving a spirit of wisdom, (one of His attributes) is in order for people to make the garments to be worn by the priests, to set them apart and make them holy for their ministry work in the wilderness Tabernacle. Exodus 28:3 “You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me.

God works the same today in that He clothes us, His priests, with His Spirit, which is power to do His will. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Luke 24:49“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The first person we see filled with the spirit of God is Bezalel the son of Uri, in Exodus 31:2-5:

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.” I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,  and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.

Once again, this was for the making of the wilderness tabernacle and all its furnishings.  Obviously, this was something extremely important to the Lord.  He wanted it created to His exact specifications because it was a pattern of heavenly things.

Confirming this truth, the following passage out of the book of Hebrews reveals Yeshua as our High Priest who offered His own body as the ultimate sacrifice. This was God’s plan even when giving instruction for the building of the earthly tabernacle (God’s meeting place with man) and its furnishings.  It was a model of the place Yeshua (God meeting with man) would sit after His atoning work for the redemption of all mankind!  Each item within the wilderness Tabernacle, and in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem that came later, actually represented Yeshua. This was the reason God wanted them created with such care and precision that He sent His Holy Spirit to enable man to complete the tasks.

Hebrews 8:1-5 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.  For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.  Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;  who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, ” SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”  (Exodus 25:9)

Not only is God’s Spirit at work when poured out on mankind, He was also instrumental in Creation and in giving us life. Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

I refer to God’s Spirit as a person because He is a personality.  He acts in our life very much like a person would, as evidenced by the following Scriptures:

He is everywhere. Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

He teaches and leads us. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

He helps us know His word. Proverbs 1:23 Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

He fights against us if we rebel against God. Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them.

He speaks through us. Mark 13:11 When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

He helps us. John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

John 15:26 When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,

He comforts us.  Acts 9:31 So the congregation throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. He guides us into all truth. John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

He speaks to us.  Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

He sends us out. Acts 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

He forbids us to do things. Acts 16:6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

He can be grieved. Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

He can be lied to.Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?

All of the characteristics of God’s Spirit are good in nature and He inspires and directs us toward goodness in our own lives.  I have seen the Holy Spirit at work in my own life, convicting me of sin and giving me the strength to change my actions and turn from sin.  The Holy Spirit is the One who gives us the ability, wisdom and strength to be obedient to God’s Word.  Our only responsibility is to ask for and receive His help.

I have also seen and experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence in a very tangible way in my life, evidenced by tears.  I’ve seen this in worship services and also while people have been praying for me.  I have also seen this with others as I have prayed for them.  In situations like this I believe that the Holy Spirit is connecting with us in a very deep and intimate level that we really can’t understand with our minds. He brings restoration and healing to hurts and brokenness in our own lives and the tears can be very healing and cleansing.  We need not be afraid of them.  One of the instrumental things that the Holy Spirit does in our lives is turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh and I believe that tears are one of the indications of that heart change that God desires in each one of us.

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh..  Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

It’s important for us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.  He not only brings us spiritual and emotional healing, but He helps us walk in obedience to God’s commandments.  He is the source of the power of God that is available to us through Yeshua’s death and resurrection.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yeshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Messiah Yeshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Acts 10:38 You know of Yeshua of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 1:8 …you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Remember that God has a job for each one of us to do, while we’re here on earth.  Our place in eternity is dependent upon our fulfilling our earthly assignment.  God wants to pour out His Spirit upon you so that you can accomplish the task that is appointed to you.  The first step is to believe in Yeshua, the Messiah and turn your life away from sin.  Once you do that, the fullness of God’s Spirit is yours for the asking.

The blessings of change

Malachi 3:6 “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Amplified)

John 3:14-16 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Memory Verse:

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Scripture Reading

James 1 – What does this chapter teach you to do in order to be a woman of excellence?

[sb_parent]