These are just a few passages we will refer to as a starting point for our study time. We will be build on these passages over time as our study expands and deepens. Please post passages and insight you may have that further deepens our understanding of these key areas of study.
TRUSTING GOD NOT MAN – Jeremiah 17:5-10
5 This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes [human] flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. 6 He will be like a juniper in the Arabah; he cannot see when good comes but dwells in the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land where no one lives. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD. 8 He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. 9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else and desperately sick—who can understand it? 10 I, the LORD, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
Cross References:
- vs5: Ps146:3 “Do not trust in nobles, in man, who cannot save.”
- vs7 Ps 40:4 “How happy is the man who has put his trust in the LORD and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies!
- vs10: Deuteronomy 8:2 “Remember that the LORD your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands”
- vs10: Ps 26:2 “Test me, LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.”
LOVING OUR WIVES – Ephesians 5:25-31
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. 27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own flesh, but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 since we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
ABIDING IN CHRIST – John 15:1-10
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He [takes away], and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. 10 If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.