Week 1: We Must Be Overcomers

The Lord has given us at This Is Your Season Ministries so much Word and we want to share it with you all. We are living in a time of plenty, where the Word is freely given, yet indifferently received. We are coming to a time when the Word will be scarce because of great persecution, but it will be passionately received. We must store up His treasures in the storehouse, just like Joseph prepared Egypt for the years of famine.

The book of Revelation tells us great and terrifying things about the times to come, the times we are entering into. It is written to those who have an ear…

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes…

We have great promises and great instructions if we but open up our eyes and ears to what God is speaking to us. As the time of Jesus’ return nears, God will release His presence more and more upon His people. God’s remnant will display great wisdom and power, to bring God’s people closer and closer to the saving and sanctifying knowledge of Jesus Christ!

But with this manifested presence, more and more will be required of us. We must walk with a higher standard of obedience. We must be overcomers. This study will help us to see what needs to be overcome, and how we can be overcomers.

This is a long and in-depth study, meant to be taken slowly and chewed upon. We will study being an overcomer for 10 weeks. Each week will be on our website for you to copy and do the study in preparation for the teaching on Thursdays. If you have any comments or questions about this study, please e-mail us at thisisyourseason@verizon.net.

We must be Overcomers

Week 1

Jesus is coming back for His bride and He is coming soon. We should be excited just like a bride anticipating her wedding. And also just like a bride, there are many preparations that must take place before that glorious day. We must be prepared, but how? What is expected of us?

Daniel 11:32 The people who know their God will display strength and take action.

In order to gain more understanding on a bride waiting for her bridegroom, I want to go over ancient Jewish wedding customs. A traditional Jewish wedding is so different than our weddings, but they give us a wealth of understanding of our covenant relationship with Jesus, the bridegroom of the church.

There are three parts to the Jewish Wedding: the betrothal, the wedding ceremony, and the wedding feast.

The betrothal has many parts:

· the match is initiated by the father of the groom and the bride must give her consent.

· a bride price must be paid by the father of the groom to reflect the value of the bride.

· voluntary love gifts given by the groom to his bride as an expression of his love for her.

· dowry given to the bride by her father to equip her for her new life.

· marriage contract – written document stating the rights of the bride, the assurance of provision for the bride’s needs, and the promise of the groom to return for his bride.

· sealing of the betrothal with a cup of wine offered to the bride by the groom. They are considered married at this point.

· The groom then leaves to prepare the place for them to live. He pledges he will return. They do not see each other until the wedding ceremony.

· The bride entered into a time of preparation and waiting including washings, wearing of a veil, undistracted devotion and great anticipation. This is a time of ritual washings to symbolize her separation from her former life and her new life with her beloved.

1. Read the following verses and write down what they say to you about our betrothal to Jesus.

· John 15:19

· 1 John 4:10

· 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

· Jeremiah 32:38-41

· Luke 22:20

· John 14:2-3

· Matthew 25: 1-12

After an undisclosed time, the wedding ceremony takes place.

· The grooms father decides when the son may return for his bride

· Groomsmen run ahead of the groom announcing his arrival

· Unmarried friends (virgins) of the bride would provide light for the groom if he came at night, and accompany the bridal party to the wedding ceremony.

· Bride is lifted up and carried to the ceremony

· Both the bride and the groom worn white garments

· After the ceremony the bride and groom would go away together for 7 days to consummate the marriage

2. Read the following verses and write down what they say to you about our wedding ceremony with Jesus.

· Matthew 25: 1-12

· Revelation 19:7-8

· Isaiah 61:10

· Mark 13:32-33

After the 7 days, the couple and their guests share in the wedding feast.

3. Read the following verses and write down what they say to you about the wedding feast.

· Matthew 22: 2-14

· Revelation 19:9

· Revelation 22:17

· Luke 12:35-38

TIYS Bible Study

“Behold, a Great Shakening is Coming!”

March 2009

There are many things going on in the world today that have caused great fear in the heart and minds of God’s people. God’s Word tells us that more and more of these things will come our way as the time of Jesus’ return draws near.

Matthew 24:3-8

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

We must not be frightened, but we must realize that these things MUST take place BEFORE Jesus returns! God’s purpose for these terrifying things is to get all to see that He is God Almighty and He cares for us. Unfortunately, He has to go to these extraordinary lengths to wake us up out of our complacency and into His loving arms!

1. Earthquakes are mentioned many times in the Bible. Look at the following passages and record why the earthquake came or is coming.

Isaiah 29:6

Ezekiel 38:19

2 Samuel 22:8

Isaiah 13:11,13

Earthquakes are for judgment, to get God’s people to repent & turn wholeheartedly to Him.

Earthquakes have also been used to set people free. God is sending earthquakes into our life to shake us free of the hold of the enemies on our life: our flesh, the world, and the devil.

Matthew 28:2

And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

The stone was not rolled away to free Jesus, but to allow His followers to see that He had risen, and to set them free of the fears and despair they were feeling.

Acts 16:25-26

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.

We must not be shaken, not moved by what will happen. But, how can we not be shaken by the shakening that is about to come upon the earth?

2. Read Isaiah 54:7-8, and record your insights about what God is doing. He is not just angry, but he is trying to bring something else about. What is that?

God’s judgment is coming, but it will be brief. It is to bring us back to Him! Out of His great love and compassion towards us, He is our REDEEMER.

God has severely judged His people all throughout history, but in His sovereignty and lovingkindness He has always left a remnant.

God has great plans for His remnant in the end times, but we are scattered and weak. Now is the time for the remnant to hear the call of the Lord and respond. It is the time for us to get up and arise. There are things we must do to prepare. A great shakening is coming upon the earth, a great earthquake. God is telling us beforehand so we will not be shaken when it comes, so we will be able to stand firm!

3. We must become strengthened for what God has called us to do. The bible has many passages on the subject of not being shaken. There are things we must do and things we must ask of God to do in our lives to perfect us. Look up the following verses and write down the keys to standing firm.

Psalm 16:5-9

Psalm 18:6-7

Psalm 21:7

Psalm 55:22

Psalm 62:2

Psalm 62:5-8

Psalm 82:5

Psalm 112:4-7

Proverbs 10:29-30

Isaiah 54:10

Hebrews 12:26-29

4. How can we perfect these things in our lives, so we will not be shaken? Write down James 1:2-5.

Rejoice in the trials that come your way! Do not let these things that God brings our way for our good, shake us also. His whole purpose is to strengthen us and prepare us to be ready for what is to come, HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING.

Persevere in the little trails now so you can stand firm in the great shakening that is coming and be victorious.

Do you feel a little overwhelmed by what you have been studying, compounded by what you hear on the news? Remember the words the Lord said to His people in:

Isaiah 37:6 Do not be afraid because of the words you have heard!

The men of Israel were afraid in this passage because of the threats of a foreign king who was trying to defeat them. He kept putting doubt and fear in their minds, questioning the sovereignty of God. We have a king of this earth, our enemy, who is trying to do the same thing. He is trying to make us doubt God’s love and care and power. In this time of great shaking we must not be moved by him. What God says He will do, He will do it! But as we remember the truths of what God is doing, we can stand firm.

5. Why are we to stand firm when the great shakening comes? There is a clue in Psalm 80 and write down the phrase that is repeated 3 times.

The Hebrew word for restore is shûb, which means to turn back, turn away; break, build, circumcise; repent, rescue, restore, retrieve.

The Hebrew word for saved is yâsha, which means to be open, wide or free, to be safe; defend, deliver, help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring salvation, get victory.

The Hebrew word for strengthened is amats to be alert, physically or mentally in courage; confirm, be courageous; steadfast; strong; established; fortified.

God is coming to restore, save, and strengthen us for Himself. For His good purposes, so ALL the world will see and question why we are not shaken, why we are not moved! Then we can proclaim the truths of God and they will KNOW that our God is God Almighty!

Psalm 81:13-14 "Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! "I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries.

Our prayer must be for the Lord to make us strong for Himself, for His good will, and for His good pleasures. May we listen to His voice, may we draw near quietly to hear from Him, to hear His instructions for how to walk in His everlasting ways!

Those who are depending on what they see with their eyes will be shaken!

We must look at this time through God’s eyes. This is a time of God calling His bride back to Him, to come closer and closer to His throne. In order to do this, we must turn and repent. We must turn completely and whole heartedly to Him. Then and only then will we be saved, free and victorious for His good purposes. All along this journey, God will continue:

to strengthen us, to give us courage,

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be

dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

and to establish us securely in Him.

Psalm 1: 1-3

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.

God wants to bless us and make us unshakeable. We must let Him do all that He needs to do in our lives to get us to have very deep, healthy, and secure roots! Then we will NOT BE SHAKEN!

His Amazing Love

Do you ever have check points in your life? That's when you take the time to reflect on your life. Well, about 2 years ago, I did. I reflected on how I had been living for God (at the time 12 yrs). I was perplexed, because according to the Word of God Jesus came so that I may have life and have life more abundantly. Well, I didn't feel that I had this life. Yes, I was a Christian. However, I was tired of living the mundane life of going to work, going home, going to church, and the cycle would repeat. I had no joy or passion. Jesus said if I love him I would keep his commandments. Well, I was struggling just with loving him and I didn't have the strength to tackle the other commands. Also, ministry was another item on my things to do list. I was tired of being sick and sick of being tired. What was worst is that I am a Christian, what is wrong with me? Is this what Christianity is all about? Is there more to life than this?

Well, my friend, Markeala, invited me to the This Is Your Season Ministries' Women Conference. I agreed to come to Texas and attend the conference. I didn't expect anything but the usual time of worship and teaching I have heard at other conferences. However, this conference was different. During this conference, it was as if God was replying to every secret hurt of my heart... the lack of spiritual mentorship, receiving love from my heavenly and earthly father and being loved for the "real me". I knew it was God, because who else would know my heart? I went home with new zeal and love for God. This conference changed my life!

Then, I began to read Dolores Dotson, the Executive Director of This Is Your Season Ministries, book entitled "This Is Your Season". This book begin to teach me how to live day to day with this new heart for God and his people. I found out that my love relationship with God affects every relationship I have on this earth. I can't articulate all that God has done in my heart and life during that conference. I do recommend that you attend This Is Your Season Ministries next conference or if you can't make it, you need to purchase the book.

Email me at thisisyourseason@gmail.com if you would like to get the book, have questions about the conference, or if you want to share your testimony on this blogspot about how the ministry have blessed you.

Pressing toward the mark,

Juanita