Let's have a lighter conversation for a bit.
The past two years that I have actively participated in Bible Studies and fully immersed into God's Word, I have managed to collect a few words to add to my Vocabulary. I am totally loving every bit of this learning process and thankful that I got back on track and full throttle too.
I call this collection of new words the "My P31 Vocabulary" as most of these I have heard, heed and learned from being part of the Proverbs 31 Ministries (P31). This is a ministry for every women in every walk of life; whatever season they are in. It offers Online Bible Study, Devotionals, First5 App, a bookstore of their own, Compel training (for aspiring writers and speakers) and may other online resources.
Some of these definitions are taken from a resource as I wanted to understand it deeper but some would be in my own understanding of how these words and phrases are used and applied in my own growth. For any comments or reactions , feel free to state your piece at the comment section below.
Let's start alphabetically, shall we?
CONVICTION
Bible Study Tools Dictionary described conviction as a verdict rendered either in God's judgment (Romans 3:19) or before men (John 8:46) by an appeal to their conscience in which God's law is written. The word can also mean or used as "reprove" or "to prove guilty". You know you are convicted when that hard truth is received and causes that stir in your heart. Merriam-Webster simply defined conviction as "a firmly held belief or opinion" that someone stand by with.
"Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction." -1 Corinthians 1:10
DISCERNMENT
Simply put, "it is being able to distinguish good from evil". Christian.com gives us this definition: "Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically." As Jesus' followers, we all need to practice discernment in order for us to live a life pleasing to God every time and to look more like Jesus everyday. The more we practice discernment, the better we will be in distinguishing false teachings and vice versa. When I was a much younger believer, I really thought that discernment is a special gift; that only the chosen few has discernment. Lo! & Behold! ..... Discernment is a must for believers!
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." -1 John 4:1
DISAPPOINTMENTS
As defined by Merriam and Webster dictionary, Disappointment is sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hope or expectations. Lysa Terkeurst defined it in her book "It's Not Supposed To Be This Way" as, "It's the feeling things should be better than they are." These things could be circumstances, finances or relationships. In this book, it tells us that disappointments are actually a gift from God, it is a way for Him to lead us back home. This book also teaches us to wrestle well while we are living here between these two Edens.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” -Revelations 21:4-5
DOING LIFE WITH
I have heard this phrase from Annie F. Downs so many times. She is this super outgoing, everybody's girlfriend and a true-blooded Enneagram 7! Whenever she uses the phrase "Doing life with", she means and talks about how she is spending quality time regularly with "her (My) people". Spending quality time can mean a lot of things like dining out every weekend with a group of friends regularly, working out with girlfriends, book club, bible study with the women or mothers at church; it could also be your support group or your church friends that you serve with in ministry.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:24-25
ENNEAGRAM
I tuned in this past Summer to an Enneagram Series by Annie F. Downs on her "That Sounds Fun" podcast. From that time on, I seem to be more aware of people talking about Enneagram. It has also made me aware of myself. So, have you heard of Enneagram? Do you know your Number or Type? How are you using the Enneagram to help you grown in Christ?
Let's take it from the top, "What is Enneagram?" According to Beth McCord, "The Enneagram (Ennea=9, Gram=Diagram) is simply a map (GPS) for self-discovery and personal growth based on 9 basic personality types. The Enneagram accurately and clearly describes why you think, feel and behave in particular ways based upon your core fears and core desires." One reminder though, please do not use this against anybody as this is suppose to be for "SELF"-discovery and our growth.
"But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." - Matthew 15:18
GENEROSITY
Defined by Pastor Ken Hughes as a "sign of a regenerate soul." He emphasized that "Generosity is more than tithing and more than just money. Christians ought to give in such a way that there are things we forego in order to be generous-that vacation, that new car. And so regenerate people are generous not just with their finances but also with their time and possessions." Generosity is giving of yourself and sharing whatever blessings you have received. It is not just giving your left-overs or what you do not need, it is giving ourselves for His glory. Take a closer look at the story of Zaccheus.
"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'" -Luke 19:8
GRACE
Grace is an "undeserved favor in the eyes of the Lord". It is also descriptive, denoting a superior who bends or stoops to show kindness to an inferior, such as a king lowering himself to assist a servant. [Excerpt from the book "Keep Showing Up" by Karen Ehman]
"And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved." -Romans 11:6
GRATITUDE
"It's being more aware of what you have than what you don't. It's recognizing the treasure in the simple like a child's hug or the golden sunset. Most of all, a sense of the greatest gift: the Son of GOD, Jesus Christ, who took your place." [Excerpt from the Podcast episode of "Max Lucado's Daily Devotions" entitled: "Gratitude for the Greatest Gift"]
"always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 5:20
To GLEAN
Gleaning, by the way, was a Law of Moses that says 'when you reap your harvest, you are not to go over the fields twice. They need to be left for the poor to glean'. To Glean simply means "to gather".
"When you gather the grapes in your vineyard, don’t glean the vines after they are picked. Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows." -Deuteronomy 24:21
HOSPITALITY
"Hospitality is defined as generously leveraging your resources in loving service to others for the glory of God." It includes welcome and reception. To welcome is to receive into one’s life, one’s home, or to take by the hand. This is according to Pastor Phil Ward's Hospitality Series.
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." -Romans 15:5-7
INTENTIONALITY
It is the fact of being deliberate or purposive with one's thoughts, beliefs, hopes and desires. It is usually directed towards some object or affair.
"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act." - Psalm 37:4-5
JESUS' FOLLOWER
This is YOU! If YOU believe GOD; if YOU have Jesus Christ in your life as your personal Lord and Savior. If YOU are a child of God, a Christian and a Believer and you are walking in faith looking more like Jesus everyday.... then you are a Jesus' Follower.
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24
KINGDOM-MINDED
Kingdom refers to GOD's Kingdom that can be found in heaven and among his people on earth (Matthew 6:9-10). It is the Sovereign rule of God. Kingdom-minded means that as Jesus followers, we set our heart and mind to the Sovereign ruler; do things for the sake of the Kingdom. "Matthew 6:33 says that if we seek first the kingdom of God that all these things will be added unto us. We do not seek his kingdom to get what we want, but as we seek first the kingdom of God our lives and ministry cannot help but grow." (Excerpt from "Church Minded vs Kingdom Minded" by Jerry Moyer, The Jubilee Gang)
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." -Matthew 6:33
My PEOPLE
This refers to the select people that you let IN your life. They could include your immediate to extended family, closest circle of friends and selected few that influences your life, mentors that help you grow more like Jesus, your people that support you, love you, criticize you, build you up, help you grow, pray with and for you.
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." - Proverbs 27:17
POSTURE
As simple as this word implies, Posture pertains to Position. Taking posture is choosing a position. This is a choice we make out from our hearts, positions we take to prevail, overcome and sustain. When we take a Posture of Praise or adapt a position of calm, a posture of Rest after a season of hardship or a Position of Perseverance to wait on the Lord, we intentionally choose to do these in order for us to go on. [Notes from Lysa Terkeurst's talk on "4 Positions that Prevail"]
“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me." -Psalm 129:2
RIGHTEOUSNESS
According to Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, "It is a life in accordance with the commands of God, in all their breadth and height. The righteous man does what is right in the eyes of the Lord." . John Piper also points out that being righteous is essentially the same as just. When he talked about Romans 3:21-26, he explained that the word "righteous" in verse 22 and "justified" in verse 24 have the same root word therefore very similar in meaning. "Justification is the act of God, once for all declaring us just and righteous in his sight."
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." - Romans 3:21-22
SABBATH
Saturday, the seventh day of the week, the Jewish day of worship and rest (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 31:13-17). Christians meet for worship on Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection (Acts 20:7), and regard Sunday, rather than Saturday, as their weekly day of rest. And yet believers look forward to an eternal Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:1-13). This definition of Sabbath is taken from "Hebrews: A 12-Week Study" by Matthew Capps. Sabbath day for me is any day of the week that we need to intentionally dedicate for rest, where we can spend some quiet time with our Father.
"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." -Hebrews 4:9-10
SANCTIFICATION
A big word but according to Whitney Capps' book entitled "Sick of Me" it is "how the Holy Spirit works within us to make us more like Jesus, everyday". This is our constant reminder as Jesus followers to continuously 'align' our lives to God's command. It basically means as Jesus followers, one has to walk, live and model Jesus' life in our everyday life. Yes, I know, nobody is perfect but it is the "TRYING" to do it that matters, that we base our every move and decision according to God's Word and standards.
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life." -Romans 6:22
SEASON OF LIFE
The very first word I learned being part of Proverbs 31 Ministries. I have heard it before but never really paid attention. Through doing life with P31 Ministries, I became attentive to my Seasons of Life.
This phrase refers to what kind of life you are currently going through. It could be a Season of Joy, a Season of Trying Times, a Season of Growth, a Season of Learning. It is the current life you are living that eventually teaches you the lessons in life.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1
GOD's SOVEREIGNTY
This is such a big word and quite intimidating, but SOVEREIGNTY means one who possesses supreme power. He is King of all the Earth (Psalm 47:7) and He is also the "blessed controller of all things" (1 Timothy 6:15). Our God is known by many names that show His character all throughout the Scripture. God is El Shaddai/All Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10); the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 21:6); Counselor (John 14:26); Deliverer (Psalm 18:2); Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6); Judge (Acts 17:31); Redeemer (Psalm 19:14) and many other Names that tells us He is our Sovereign GOD. (From the book "Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner" by Wendy Blight)
"All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." - John 1:3
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
Habits that Jesus' followers should practice so that we can "live and look more like Jesus" (sanctification). There are no hard rules or prescribed list found in the Bible about Spiritual Disciplines, but there are certain things that God's Word teaches us to do regularly so that it can benefit our lives therefore we can bear fruits. From the last Bible Study by Wendy Blight, six spiritual disciplines were identified such as Prayer, Studying and Memorizing Scripture, Fasting, Rest, Worship and Fellowship.
"..discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;" -1 Timothy 4:7
THEOLOGY
Merriam and Webster defined Theology as the study of religious faith, practice and experience. It is also called the "systematic representation of Biblical religion", this is from the Bible Study Tools. It is also regarded as the science of doctrinal declarations and at the same time a study of the interpretation and exposition of the Scriptures.
"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
UNMET EXPECTATIONS
So let us divide this word and define each separately. Unmet means not satisfied or fulfilled while Expectation means something you anticipate. Put together Unmet Expectation means when you get a different outcome than what is anticipated. These unmet expectations usually lead to disappointments.
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." -Proverbs 13:12
To WRESTLE WITH
As literal as it is, this phrase means to deal or try to solve a life problem. On a higher note, it is also to struggle, to get through a challenge, a problem, a not so good situation with a certain degree of difficulty.
"How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?" -Psalm 13:2
I hope that as I am learning to use and ponder on these words and phrases that it can also help you grow more interested in studying GOD's Words and in fellowship with other believers in the pursuit of sanctification and righteousness. I love Proverbs 31 Ministries tagline that goes like this:
"Know the Truth. Live the Truth. It Changes Everything"
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