"For it is GOD who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose." I shared this verse (and 12 others from Philippians Chapter 2) with a group of 5th grade girls. We were in the middle of a tall grassy field, by a stocked pond, just before sunset. We discussed why on earth would GOD choose to work in us for His purpose? His good purpose? Why us? Why? Because. Because He is GOD. Because He chooses to do so. That is why. Therefore, we get to enjoy being transformed by Him. We get to focus on the work required to be changed into His likeness. We get to be safe knowing He is paying attention to us. Wow! I never want any one of my girls I teach to feel alone. GOD's attention is on her. His attention is on us. He is active in the heart of every believer. Philippians tells us it is so. Do we listen? Do we respond?
"GOD who works in you." What a phrase! This is a reminder that He is at work in us. How often do we (me!) push aside GOD and try to take over the work? Or how often do we (me!) cite exhaustion and refuse any transforming work by the Father? "GOD working in us" is not just a statement, but a blessing and promise, as well. GOD's love, care, time, and attention are on us! We are not alone and abandoned. We are not left to raise our children alone, left to be in a lonely marriage, or manage a home/job alone. GOD works in us to will and to act. He is guiding us. We can call on this help. He will guide our behavior along with His will.
I want to get out of the way so GOD's hand can create in me what He desires for His good pleasure. Who am I? Does it match with who He wants me to be? It it "GOD who works in me" as the Scripture says; or me who works in me?
As I sat with my 5th grade girls on bales of hay in the wide open field, I thought of how GOD's hand has, is, and will work in them. He has great joy in store for them. Yes, there will be pain in their lives- He will be present for that, too. But, what a blessing to know that it is GOD who works in them to "will and to act according to His good purpose."
I want to be an active participant of all He has for me, not on the sidelines. I want to be living in grace, not rebellion as His hand is attempting to mold me. I want to be ready to love Him and fulfill all of the "good purposes" He has for me!
"Father, thank You for Jesus. Please continue to work in me so that my life will be only for Your good purposes. I love You!"
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Why Should I Join A Bible Study?????
For the past two weeks I have been thinking about what I was going to write for my post on the blog this week. Well, with a newborn, last week suddenly turns into this week, this week turns into yesterday and then before I know it Thursday is here!
There were several topics that kept coming to me over the past few weeks. I even got my notebook out and started writing. As I started thinking on Wednesday it came to me - I would do what we women do best - I would write today just as if we were carrying on a conversation face to face.
This is the last week at our church to sign up for Women's Fall Bible Studies. If you are asking yourself "Why Do I Need To Do A Bible Study", I can give you a few reasons.
1. To Get In God's Word
I don't know about you but I can tell a huge difference in my life if I am not studying and reading my Bible. Getting in the Word is also how you learn more about Him. Compare it to meeting a new friend. If you never talk with this person do you ever learn anything about this person? Does your relationship with this person ever become more than an acquaintance? If you are not in God's Word then how are you deepening your relationship with Him? The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:10 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Believe me, Satan knows where we are weak and that is where he will try and get us...an example in my own life is that I have the tendency to be a worrier. I know that we should not worry (Matthew 6:25-34) Well, add together my worry tendencies, running on very little sleep, since I did just have a baby add the hormones to that and what do you get - someone that worries and then fear starts creeping in....2 Timothy 1:7 tells us God has not given us the spirit of fear...I know that I need my full armor on right now...
2. Friendships
A group of ladies and I started a Bible Study three years ago. It worked best for us to meet every other week rather than every week. Here we are three years later still meeting. I think there were 11 or 12 ladies in the Bible study originally and 5 of us are still in the group....new people have joined the group in the past few years and friendships have grown during this time. I think when we start back next month there will be 11 ladies ready to study together. When one of us has a prayer request we know that these ladies are just an email away. The relationships you can build with Godly women is priceless.
If you are not already in a Bible study I urge you to find one to join. It will change your life!
There were several topics that kept coming to me over the past few weeks. I even got my notebook out and started writing. As I started thinking on Wednesday it came to me - I would do what we women do best - I would write today just as if we were carrying on a conversation face to face.
This is the last week at our church to sign up for Women's Fall Bible Studies. If you are asking yourself "Why Do I Need To Do A Bible Study", I can give you a few reasons.
1. To Get In God's Word
I don't know about you but I can tell a huge difference in my life if I am not studying and reading my Bible. Getting in the Word is also how you learn more about Him. Compare it to meeting a new friend. If you never talk with this person do you ever learn anything about this person? Does your relationship with this person ever become more than an acquaintance? If you are not in God's Word then how are you deepening your relationship with Him? The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:10 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Believe me, Satan knows where we are weak and that is where he will try and get us...an example in my own life is that I have the tendency to be a worrier. I know that we should not worry (Matthew 6:25-34) Well, add together my worry tendencies, running on very little sleep, since I did just have a baby add the hormones to that and what do you get - someone that worries and then fear starts creeping in....2 Timothy 1:7 tells us God has not given us the spirit of fear...I know that I need my full armor on right now...
2. Friendships
A group of ladies and I started a Bible Study three years ago. It worked best for us to meet every other week rather than every week. Here we are three years later still meeting. I think there were 11 or 12 ladies in the Bible study originally and 5 of us are still in the group....new people have joined the group in the past few years and friendships have grown during this time. I think when we start back next month there will be 11 ladies ready to study together. When one of us has a prayer request we know that these ladies are just an email away. The relationships you can build with Godly women is priceless.
If you are not already in a Bible study I urge you to find one to join. It will change your life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)