Lizards, Dr. Pepper, and Lies. . .
I could totally appreciate Kelly's take on the lizard stuck in the Dr. Pepper can in her intro to this week's lesson. I think back over the last 10 years. . . How many times did we as a couple see the drip, drip of what looked like liquid gold dangling from a "something" that we wanted – and wanted right then and right there – only to find out six, seven years later we were still paying for it? Such a deadly trap! I am so thankful for this last year of learning to discern the lies from reality, and pray that we hold tight to what we have learned – not letting an ounce of our instruction and learning be in vain.
Her story also made me think of what we are going through right now. Waiting for an opportunity to come to fruition. An opportunity that, from down here, looks like the perfect answer. Yet, also knowing that God has the true perspective. I prayed at the end of day 1 this last week for God to give us clear and complete understanding of exactly what it is that He is offering and what may just be sugary drops of deception that in the end would just end up being a suffocating snare – I know that we don't want any part of that.
Who else was surprised to realize that all that Satan tempted Eve with in the garden, were true statements? How did the realization that Satan's deceptive statements are often true yet lack truth impact your idea of the effectiveness of Satan's tactics that are used to deceive us all the time?
Personally, on day 3: Behind Every False God is Intimidation, I related most to the statement on the bottom of page 65 where Kelly's friend Carrie admitted that her primary issue she deals with in regards to the enemy's lies is, "Did I really hear God right when He said. . .?"
Over the past month we have endured over 13 hours of interviewing, presenting and days of waiting in regards to this job opportunity about which we are still waiting to hear. I have woken up countless times these past few weeks knowing just what I was to pray – specific prayers that in the following days revealed the "why did I pray that?" with answers and open doors. I would wake up and just to settle my nervous thoughts, would sit to read the Bible or work out one of our lessons and would be lead to encouraging, faith-building passages that in the morning when I would get up for the day would fill me with such hope and boosterism that I would walk away from the day fully knowing that it was God who led me to those particular verses. Yet, in the waiting (there's that "silence" issue again), I honestly can say that I have been having to pray off Satan and his attempts to thwart any deepening of my faith regarding this particular situation with his venomous lies that whisper, "Seriously, do you really think you heard God right when He said 'I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.' and that He really intended for you to claim those in this situation?" Lies. . .that distract me from the truth and what God is working to accomplish in us. Oh! I renounce you Satan and your lies!
I know I am merging all five days of session 3 into one post, but I just wanted to pull out the key things I, personally, held onto this last week and give you an opportunity to share what key things popped out at you as well. I would love to know what struck you the most this last week?
What about on day 4? What are your thoughts on the things about society and the lies our culture works to feed us each day? Did you find there are every day things that God may be wanting you to be open to removing from your life?
I particularly was struck with Kelly's statement on page 70, day 4, where she states, ". . .if true conviction is present, we will begin to look at that thing as something that was taking the place of God, something that was stealing from us. As we rid it from our lives we will be hopeful with anticipation, anxious to see what God will do in this newly-created space. We will not look for loopholes. We will be resolved. We will know that we are in a position to gain, not to be stolen from any longer." (Oh, how I could write a whole book about this and how I've learned this the hard way this past year. . .)
Let me close this comprehensive post with one last statement that I want to claim as my own – a statement from the top of page 73, day 5:
"I am reminded of my need to vigilantly know God's truth while being able to identify the deception of the Enemy."
Lord, God, I love you and I want to be so bathed in You and Your truth that I have no problem identifying and dealing with Satan's lies. Lord, I pray that you would reveal to me in Your Word and in a supernatural way, the ability to discern Your voice and guidance – Your truth for my life for every and in every situation. Expose and remove any lies and deception my heart, for so long, has clung to as well as any new tactics Satan is working to employ on me and my heart. Keep me free from the bondage of lies in my life. Lord I pray that You would make Your truth in me so vital, active, influential, and effective that I am able to live out my full purpose for my life that is for your ultimate glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Siesta Summer Bible Study Gathering II
Every two weeks there will be a video session with Beth Moore. This gathering is to be viewed after completing sessions 1&2. I'm sure some of you are already beyond these two studies, but I wanted to give you all an opportunity to tune into the video and answer the questions posed by Beth and her team for our group, possibly giving us an opportunity to share and connect in regards to the subject of idols that we have been studying. Be sure to view the questions and share your thoughts.
The remaining three are based on Week Two:
2. Turn to p.39 of your workbook. Kelly had us read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and reminded us that we were meant to be peculiar people. Reread her words.
~Now, in class today do an acrostic of the word "peculiar" based on various ways Christ has set us apart. In other words, come up with one word that begins with a "p," then another that begins with an "e," "c," and so on.~
2. Turn to p.39 of your workbook. Kelly had us read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and reminded us that we were meant to be peculiar people. Reread her words.
~Now, in class today do an acrostic of the word "peculiar" based on various ways Christ has set us apart. In other words, come up with one word that begins with a "p," then another that begins with an "e," "c," and so on.~
Session 2 ~ Day 5: Why Idols?
Fear
What has been most effective in combating your own personal fears?
What has been most effective in combating your own personal fears?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Session 2 ~ Day 4: Why Idols?
Silence
As I am finishing up today's lesson about the quietness of God and how often I have allowed times of God's silence to convince me that God was not hearing me, listening to me, answering me in the ways that I thought would be best or in the time-frame that I thought would be most effective – how many times I, like the Israelites, have quickly turned to take action on my own behalf and say to myself, "Well, I guess it's all up to me now."
We are coming up on our 10 year wedding anniversary. We've been together for over 17 years and I am so very thankful for the man that God brought into my life so many years ago, then a boy, now my husband. A man who loves God, our family and me more than anything on this planet. What an amazing gift. So why have I tarried in allowing God to use my husband to be all that He created him to be? I can think of countless times over the past 10 years that I have refused to step aside and let my husband lead based solely on God's silence and my unwillingness to submit to God wanting my husband to be the protector and provider of our family.
This past year has been and continues to be a year we have enlisted ourselves in God's boot camp. A year of allowing God to discipline us in the areas we didn't trust in the past. In areas where we allowed our foolish impatience with God to get us into faithless traps. Traps that we have had to let God teach and reteach us how to climb out of with a death grip on Him and Him alone who saves. Yet, even now, I am finding it difficult and scary to step aside and fully and wholly trust God to have the power to provide and protect us and our family and use my husband as the conduit to do just that – protect and provide. Thanks be to God that my body is forcing me to do what is and has been God's will and just step aside, rest and let God shine in the gift He gave to me – my friend, my spiritual partner, my faith-filled example, my more-than-able to do all that God has prepared in advance for him to do – my husband.
Please pray that God will give me the strength to trust Him, even in His silence. That He will continue to be glorified in our lives and our faith in Him to provide and protect us. That He will be given the obedience, the space, the ground in both of us to raise us up to be all that He created us to be and live out all the potential He is more than willing and able to equip us to do in Christ.
As I am finishing up today's lesson about the quietness of God and how often I have allowed times of God's silence to convince me that God was not hearing me, listening to me, answering me in the ways that I thought would be best or in the time-frame that I thought would be most effective – how many times I, like the Israelites, have quickly turned to take action on my own behalf and say to myself, "Well, I guess it's all up to me now."
We are coming up on our 10 year wedding anniversary. We've been together for over 17 years and I am so very thankful for the man that God brought into my life so many years ago, then a boy, now my husband. A man who loves God, our family and me more than anything on this planet. What an amazing gift. So why have I tarried in allowing God to use my husband to be all that He created him to be? I can think of countless times over the past 10 years that I have refused to step aside and let my husband lead based solely on God's silence and my unwillingness to submit to God wanting my husband to be the protector and provider of our family.
This past year has been and continues to be a year we have enlisted ourselves in God's boot camp. A year of allowing God to discipline us in the areas we didn't trust in the past. In areas where we allowed our foolish impatience with God to get us into faithless traps. Traps that we have had to let God teach and reteach us how to climb out of with a death grip on Him and Him alone who saves. Yet, even now, I am finding it difficult and scary to step aside and fully and wholly trust God to have the power to provide and protect us and our family and use my husband as the conduit to do just that – protect and provide. Thanks be to God that my body is forcing me to do what is and has been God's will and just step aside, rest and let God shine in the gift He gave to me – my friend, my spiritual partner, my faith-filled example, my more-than-able to do all that God has prepared in advance for him to do – my husband.
Please pray that God will give me the strength to trust Him, even in His silence. That He will continue to be glorified in our lives and our faith in Him to provide and protect us. That He will be given the obedience, the space, the ground in both of us to raise us up to be all that He created us to be and live out all the potential He is more than willing and able to equip us to do in Christ.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Session 2 ~ Day 3: Why Idols?
Pain
After reading how it was the Lord who had closed Hannah's womb, would any of you be willing to share your answer to the question on the bottom of page 44 of today's study?
Why do you think there are times when God purposely brings pain into our lives?
After reading how it was the Lord who had closed Hannah's womb, would any of you be willing to share your answer to the question on the bottom of page 44 of today's study?
Why do you think there are times when God purposely brings pain into our lives?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Just Isaac
To wrap up Day 2's lesson, click HERE to be transported to the site where you can simply click on the "play music" button to listen to Margaret Becker's and Kelly Minter's song. . .Just Isaac
Session 2 ~ Day 2: Why Idols?
Need
On page 41 it states that Sarah was looking to an Egyptian slave girl to save her life. Think of the times when you have depended on someone or the thought of someone, other than God, to save you from your current situation or to build a life through.
Today's time of personal reflection was very revealing to me. There were specific people that I could point to in my life and in my past that I know I've depended on terribly too much to be the answer to that with which I was struggling. . .
For me, the most impacting statement of the today's lesson was also on page 41:
"God had this beautiful plan for Sarah in spite of how bleak things looked. Definitely she was in a bind. She had genuine cause for concern. But that's always going to be the place where our faith is tested. If it all looks easy and doable, it doesn't require faith."
What part of today's lesson was the most revealing or impacting to you?
On page 41 it states that Sarah was looking to an Egyptian slave girl to save her life. Think of the times when you have depended on someone or the thought of someone, other than God, to save you from your current situation or to build a life through.
Today's time of personal reflection was very revealing to me. There were specific people that I could point to in my life and in my past that I know I've depended on terribly too much to be the answer to that with which I was struggling. . .
For me, the most impacting statement of the today's lesson was also on page 41:
"God had this beautiful plan for Sarah in spite of how bleak things looked. Definitely she was in a bind. She had genuine cause for concern. But that's always going to be the place where our faith is tested. If it all looks easy and doable, it doesn't require faith."
What part of today's lesson was the most revealing or impacting to you?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Session 2 ~ Day 1: Why Idols?
Identity
On page 36 of the study Kelly says, ". . .it seems that women everywhere are caught in an endless pursuit to discover their identity."
In what ways have you noticed, in yourself or the women around you, how the pursuit of discovering a personal identity has effected their lives and relationships?
On page 36 of the study Kelly says, ". . .it seems that women everywhere are caught in an endless pursuit to discover their identity."
In what ways have you noticed, in yourself or the women around you, how the pursuit of discovering a personal identity has effected their lives and relationships?
Like the people of Israel in 1 Samuel 8:1-22, have you ever experienced a time in your life that you lost sight of what you had and who you were? How did effect your decision making in regards to your life, family, jobs, ministry?
After reading Deuteronomy 7:6 and 14:2, which part of the description of who we are in Christ means the most to you?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Session 1 – Day 5: Where Our Heart Is
Out of the three verses given in today's lesson, which struck you as most profound and why?
Matthew 6:21
21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Isaiah 44:9
9 All who make idols are nothing,
and the things they treasure are worthless.
Those who would speak up for them are blind;
they are ignorant, to their own shame.
2 Kings 17:15
15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.
Matthew 6:21
21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Isaiah 44:9
9 All who make idols are nothing,
and the things they treasure are worthless.
Those who would speak up for them are blind;
they are ignorant, to their own shame.
2 Kings 17:15
15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do.
Session 1 – Day 4: Creating Pharaohs
In today's study, I was struck by the word "creating" in the subtitle, Creating Pharaohs. 
Mostly because so much of what I do each day is "create".
Most days, because the deadlines are so tight, the pressure to "create" and be "original" requires me to start the project and/or the day with a prayer that I've prayed countless times. . .that God would be my eyes and hands and imagination, ideas, efficiency and productivity. A prayer of trust that God knows my client's mind and wants and can direct me to help meet their needs. I figure that a God who could, with His breath and spoken Word, create all that is our everything in 6 days. . .that same God will have no problem helping me come up with a logo or design by day's end, yes?
Yet, when the study asked the question: "How do we specialize in and use our resources on modern forms of idolatry?" I was reminded of the times that I finish a project, look back and think "Wow, look at how much God was able to help me accomplish this week!" – which is a complete blessing that I work hard not to take for granted. BUT, I was also reminded of, in regards to those same projects, the times I catch myself daydreaming about my client saying to someone, anyone, it doesn't matter who: "Wow! Look at all that Jodi was able to do and accomplish!".
I think I am coming to realize that much of what I do is out of a desire to be admired for what God can and does help me do. I know it's only because of Him that I am able to do what I do, but somewhere deep inside of me, I want the admiration from others for that work as well.
My sincere prayer today is that I will give God ALL the glory in ALL that I do (1 Cor. 10:31) and seek not the praise of men, women, my clients, my family, the viewing public, but His praise and His praise alone. To God be the glory, honor and praise, Amen.
Mostly because so much of what I do each day is "create".Most days, because the deadlines are so tight, the pressure to "create" and be "original" requires me to start the project and/or the day with a prayer that I've prayed countless times. . .that God would be my eyes and hands and imagination, ideas, efficiency and productivity. A prayer of trust that God knows my client's mind and wants and can direct me to help meet their needs. I figure that a God who could, with His breath and spoken Word, create all that is our everything in 6 days. . .that same God will have no problem helping me come up with a logo or design by day's end, yes?
Yet, when the study asked the question: "How do we specialize in and use our resources on modern forms of idolatry?" I was reminded of the times that I finish a project, look back and think "Wow, look at how much God was able to help me accomplish this week!" – which is a complete blessing that I work hard not to take for granted. BUT, I was also reminded of, in regards to those same projects, the times I catch myself daydreaming about my client saying to someone, anyone, it doesn't matter who: "Wow! Look at all that Jodi was able to do and accomplish!".
I think I am coming to realize that much of what I do is out of a desire to be admired for what God can and does help me do. I know it's only because of Him that I am able to do what I do, but somewhere deep inside of me, I want the admiration from others for that work as well.
My sincere prayer today is that I will give God ALL the glory in ALL that I do (1 Cor. 10:31) and seek not the praise of men, women, my clients, my family, the viewing public, but His praise and His praise alone. To God be the glory, honor and praise, Amen.
Session 1 – Day 3: Purposeful Pharaohs
This is what stood out to me in today's study. . .
. . .having freedom from our idols begins by recognizing our own powerlessness against them. Apart from the power of Christ, we are unable to extricate ourselves from their hold. This is good news if we can accept the truth of our own weakness while accepting the gift of His strength. (pg.21)
What has stood out the most to you so far or particularly in today's study?
. . .having freedom from our idols begins by recognizing our own powerlessness against them. Apart from the power of Christ, we are unable to extricate ourselves from their hold. This is good news if we can accept the truth of our own weakness while accepting the gift of His strength. (pg.21)
What has stood out the most to you so far or particularly in today's study?
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