Cynthia Heald - Becoming a Woman of Faith

BECOMING
A WOMAN OF
F AITH

BECOMING
A WOMAN OF
F AITH

CYNTHIA HEALD

Copyright 2000 by Cynthia Heald

All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.

Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, 7680 Goddard Street, Suite #200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Scripture quotations noted NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted NKJV are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

Scripture quotations noted NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted THE MESSAGE are from The Message: in ContemporaryEnglish. Copyright 1993 by Eugene H. Peterson.

Scripture quotations noted AMPLIFIED are from THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE: Old Testament. Copyright 1962, 1964 by Zondervan Publishing House (used by permission); and from THE AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT. Copyright 1958 by the Lockman Foundation (used by permission).

ISBN 0-7852-7244-5

Printed in the United States of America

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CONTENTS

This Bible study has been created to help you search the Scriptures and draw closer to God as you seek to grow in your understanding and practice of faith. All you need is a Bible, a writing tool, and an expectant heart. You may find it helpful, however, to have access to supplemental resources such as a general dictionary, a general Bible commentary, a Bible handbook, or a study Bible with reference notations.

Becoming a Woman of Faith is appropriate for individual as well as group use, and for women of any age and season of life. Before you begin each chapter, pray for attentiveness to how God is speaking to you through His Word and for sensitivity to His prompting. At the conclusion of each chapter, you will have the opportunity to write out a favorite Scripture verse from the study passages. As you meditate on and pray over this personal selection, ask God to use it in strengthening your faith. Adding Scripture memory to this practice will help you abide in Christ day by day as His truth dwells deep within your mind and heart.

Quotations from Christian writers have been selected to help you understand the biblical content of each chapter and to enhance your personal response to Gods Word. Consider using the Notes section in the back of this book as a resource list for further devotional reading and study.

The Bible has much to say about the importance of learning from and encouraging one another in the community of believers. If you are using this study with a small group, the questions and exercises will give you excellent opportunities for talking and praying together about deepening your trust in the faithfulness of God.

If faith means trusting in something we cant absolutely know or prove is true, then to varying degrees everyone exercises faith in daily life. Without faith that there is a purpose for our lives beyond immediate circumstances, life will ultimately seem empty and meaningless.

Faith entails complete confidence in its object. It is a strong conviction that what we believe is worthy of our trust. When I place my faith in another person, I trust that he will be true to his character and promises. Life continually confronts us with decision points in which we must choose where and in whom we will place our trust. In a world busily promoting every kind of belief system, it is crucial that we seek diligently for the most trustworthy object of our faith.

In Becoming a Woman of Faith, you will have opportunity to consider scriptural truths regarding the love and faithfulness of God. Your initial response of faith in accepting Gods gift of salvation propels you on a journey to the highest and best. But this faith is not limited to a one-time encounter with the Lord. Because of Gods faithfulness, your trust can grow and bear the fruit of a vibrant, living faith. True faith will undergird your decisions and actions; it will shield you from the enemy; it will empower your prayers; and it will enable you to withstand testing, temptations and even your doubts.

One of the highlights of this study for me was the in-depth look at the lives of those saints listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. I was greatly challenged by how these men and women were willing to move to unknown places, risk danger in hiding enemy spies, and brave imprisonment and destitution all because of the One in whom they placed their trust. I will revisit again and again these courageous heroes whose faith enabled them to live and die for God.

This study has changed me, renewed me, and encouraged me to keep growing in my faith and to keep walking by faith. Understanding that my faith can deepen and become more precious has drawn me closer to the Lord and given me much hope. I have a new sense of Gods commitment to me and a fresh confidence that I can run this race faithfully.

My prayer for you is that your faith will increase and be strengthened. May your life be one of wholehearted trust in our God, who above all is faithful and righteous in all His dealings. In His priceless and abounding love for you, He desires your trust. Gods richest blessing on you as you become a woman of faith.

Love in Christ,

CHAPTER 1
THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

Through the LORDs mercies we are notconsumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23NKJV

Upon Gods faithfulness rests our whole hope of future blessedness. Only as He is faithful will His covenants stand and His promises be honored. Only as we have complete assurance that He is faithful may we live in peace and look forward with assurance to the life to come... The tempted, the anxious, the fearful, the discouraged may all find new hope and good cheer in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is faithful.

A. W. Tozer

C omprehending the faithfulness of God is crucial to becoming a woman of faith. How can we have a vital faith in someone were not sure is faithful? I like Proverbs 25:19: Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint (NKJV). This Scripture vividly describes the distressing results and disappointment of misplaced faith.