We hope that you enjoy the studies that the LORD has created through Miss Mary. Please find an introduction to each study and an excerpt from each below.

Shadows of the Gospel Series(click on desired study to read about)
Samson
Ruth and Boaz
Daniel - Part 1

Shadows of the Gospel: Samson

SAMSON! His name even sounds powerful doesn’t it. The life of this mighty man is tucked into the book of Judges. As I read his life story I became enthralled with his life and his struggles. He was a man who struggled with many of the same issues that we struggle with in our generation. His eyes got him in a lot of trouble and I became painfully aware that at times mine do too!

2 Corinthians 5:7 says that we live by faith not by sight. As I contemplated those words I wondered how many of us really live by faith more than we do sight. Over the years I have had a wonderful young man in my class who is blind. I don’t know how many times I have been overwhelmed as I watch him touch the word of God. He doesn’t rely on sight but on faith. Many nights after class, I have asked God to help me with my eyes. How many times have I run in rebellion because of something that my eyes lusted after? It is a real question. Can I somehow mess up God’s plans? Have you ever wondered that. By faith, I know that God is Sovereign but can His plans be thwarted by disobedient man?

As you progress through the pages of this little Bible study, I pray you will find the LORD God fresh in your heart. As you watch the mighty man of God walk in human frailty I pray you will be encouraged. Rebellion has terrible consequences but the LORD loves what belongs to Him. I hope you will find the benefits of walking in righteousness. Samson reminds me to walk in obedience for my sake and for those I love!

Read an excerpt from the Samson study

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Shadows of the Gospel: Ruth and Boaz

I have to admit that I didn’t know much about this couple until the LORD drew me to them. I had heard that this was an incredible love story, but I found two lives that reflected so much more than that.

The book of Ruth touched my heart to deeply that at times I had to quit writing in order to just weep before the LORD. There are so many raw emotions in this book and yet it also beckons us to hold our emotions in check to do what is right. I pray you will be as blessed as I was to see the honor, devotion, integrity, and rightousness that is reflected in the lives of all the parties involved.

As an older woman I became intrigued with the woman, Naomi. I saw a strength and goodness in her that confronted my own life. She became an inspiration for me to make sure I bless the lives of younger people and to set them up for success. Without Naomi, this story could have never happened. She taught me that blessings can come at a great cost but profit everyone in God’s economy.

Boaz was a man who stood like a pillar. He is a Godly master who is greatly loved by the people who depend upon him. Our generation could benefit tremendously by looking at his life and following suit.

I pray that we will become like these giants in the faith. May we keep our eyes upon Jesus: our Kinsman Redeemer, for surely HE will bless and secure us!

Read an excerpt from the Ruth study

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Shadows of the Gospel: Daniel 1
A Man of Integrity

What an experience it has been for me to spend months in the first six chapters of Daniel, trying to understand who he was as a person. I met a real boy, who grew into a real man. He has captured my heart as I have watched him work through his fears based on who he was to the LORD. Once again I was confronted that this was a man who walked his entire lifetime faithful to the God of his youth. Daniel does not have the Holy Spirit living in him as I do. He is operating out of pure faith and the knowledge his parents had imparted to him.

The book of Daniel is a book of faithfulness and honor. It made me spend time evaluating my life. How faithful am I when no one is looking? Do I honor the people God has placed in my life, whether I ike them or not? Am I subject to the authority that has been placed over me? Do I keep El HaShaymayim, the God of Heaven, at the center of my life? Do I live as if I belonged to HIS amazing family?

These are just a few questions I came face to face with. There are many parallels between our culture and the Babylonian culture. It was stunning how similar we process things and how we value the things of this world.

Daniel helped me to understand that I am to be in the world but not part of the world. I learned that I am to engage a world that does not know the God who created all things.

Read an excerpt from the first Daniel study

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