| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 09 2012 : 1:30:54 PM
Here you go ladies!
This is a bit longer, but I did a little extra on this one. I hope you enjoy it!
Topic 2: How to Hear God Speak
Verse 1: Psalm 119:105 (Meditate on God’s written word)
Timeless Guidance: Although the Bible was given to us centuries ago, it never grows outdated because it is God’s living Word. Its timeless truths penetrate the hearts and minds of every generation just as light penetrates the darkness.
The Bible is a believer's primary source of guidance. Both spiritual growth and success in serving God are closely related to living with the Scriptures. Therefore, every disciple must be devoted to absorbing Scripture through reading, studying, meditation, and memorization.
The psalmist also affirms that God’s Word always lights the next step before us. We aren’t guaranteed a “long-distance forecast” of the future. However, we know that our daily steps of careful obedience to God’s direction will safeguard us against missing his will in the big decisions.
Question 1: How have you used God’s Word to guide your decisions?
Verse 2: Exodus 37:1-5 (Ask for detailed directions)
Specific Guidance: Many of us marvel at the elaborate plan God gave Moses for the ark and tabernacle and wonder why he doesn't speak that precisely to us today. God’s guidance depends in part on what he’s called us to do. When he called Abraham to move to a new country, he didn't tell him where he’d be going. Yet when he called Noah to build an ark he gave him precise instructions down to the last detail (see Genesis 6:14-16).
Like Abraham the Lord may not give us specific guidance in all circumstances. He does not want us to be robots. He wants us to think, create, and choose in response to unfolding circumstances. In faith, Abraham kept moving forward with the guidance he had and when he got off track, God gently guided him back. When we really need clear instructions, God will give them to us if we’ll take the time to listen and obey.
Question: The next time you ask God a specific question. take time to write down the answer you receive. Did this writing your answer down help you understand his direction?
Verse 3: 1 Kings 19:12 (Listen for a still small voice)
The gentle voice of God: With thunder at his disposal, why does God use a gentle whisper? Many of us think God ought to speak louder, but he shouldn't need to strike us with lightening to get our attention. We should be listening for him so intently that we recognize his gentle whisper even when other voices are thundering for our attention.
Today’s media bombard us daily with hundreds of voices, communicating a wide variety of messages. Sometimes flashy messages influence us the most, but God isn't trying to dazzle us like that. He communicates best with those who give him their undivided attention. Then even a gentle whisper will come through as loud as thunder.
Question: What voices are competing for your attention? Find a quiet place to get alone with God. Worship, pray, and listen.
Verse 4: Num. 22:28 (He can speak through anything)
Pay attention to God!: If God can’t get our attention any other way, he will sometimes use supernatural means to get his message through to us. Imagine Balaam’s shock when his donkey began speaking to him! Sometimes God will use such means to to deal with the heard-hearted religious people who are in some ways opposing his will. . Acts 9 describes how Pharisee Saul was struck down and blinded while while on the way to persecute the church in Damascus.
Saul who later became known as the apostle Paul, obeyed God and went on to become a mighty Man of God. By contrast, Balaam ignored God’s strong to him and was en-cited to sin by the Lord’s enemies.
When the Lord speaks to us through unusual means, we need to be quick to obey.
Question: Have you ever consciously disobeyed God? What was the result? Ask God to show you if you’ve hardened your heart against him in anyway.
Verse 5: Joel 2:28 (Ask him for pictures of the future)
Looking into the Future: There is an old saying “A picture is worth a thousand words”. A vision can be a powerful picture for guiding God’s people into the future. The Bible doesn't promise that we’ll all see visions. But God does promise to give each of us an understanding of our destiny. As our relationship deepens with God so will our desire to have him speak to us in new and deeper ways.
Question: Has God given you any pictures of the future? Ask him to open your heart and mind, so he can speak to you through you through dreams and visions.
Verse 6: Psalm 19:1 (Look and listen for him all around)
God’s fingerprints are everywhere: God is a fabulous communicator. He has never been silent. He speaks to us through everything in his creation. Evidence of him can be heard, seen, felt, and tasted. He uses his sunrise to declare his faith-fullness, a mothers touch to show his gentleness, and the fruit of the earth to revel his sweetness and generosity.
Psalm 19 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God....Day after day they pour fourth speech.” We only have to open our eyes to see his fingerprints on the heavens and earth. How could so many things in nature, working together in such perfect unity, be anything but the creation of an awesome God (Romans 1:20)
Those who have not found proof of God from his creation simply are not looking.
Question: How has God spoken to you through his creation?
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 4:35:53 PM
Ashley, that is exactly why I needed this study myself. Thank you for sharing. God is calling all of us. Some to come back to Him and others to just come to Him who have never known Him. I am in a Bible study here and we are studying about heaven. Very interesting for sure.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| classygram |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 1:48:54 PM
Peggy thank you so much for your posting. I know God knows we are all going to do wrongs. And there again and again, for us to call out to him. But when you put it as you did, they haven't changed, I have, for I have peace in my heart and mind. I'm not fooling myself, I'm still going to hurt when I'm around them, but maybe a little less each time. I absolutely love the bible study where we can be who we are and share with each other.
http:///www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 12:27:49 PM
Brenda...loved your sharing. God is so gracious, kind and gentle towards His children.
I have often shared that IF we don't forgive someone it is like taking a bottle of poison,
drinking it ourselves and waiting for the other person to die. Who is affected by the
poison ? We are! Nobody else...because hate eates us up from the inside out. You shared
that you had become seriously ill from your hatred...but now dear sister...you have
found that Peace the Passes All Understanding. The ex-friend didn't change, your ex didn't
change, your circumstances didn't change...but because you asked God for guidance...He
changed you from the inside out. Beautiful!!!
blessings,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be His! |
| prayin granny |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 10:26:27 AM
Brenda,
You have shared beautifully! I am so very thankful that He is a God of grace, forgiveness, and strength! Every single one of us need to listen to His voice more and less of our own. Yet, It is one of the hardest things that, as humans, we seem able to do?! I know it is that way for me.
I am so thankful for Him, His Word, and the freedom to learn from one another!
Blessings,
Linda
www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Country at Heart |
| classygram |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 09:10:45 AM
Sorry that I'm just now posting on last weeks. Scripture is the living word. So many times I've made decisions that I knew were risky and pretty much knew God wouldn't approve of. Not wanting to wait to hear him speck or show me the way. And I feel he has allowed situations that did not go well. At times it was very hard and painful. Yet I feel that I have grown stronger in him and he's provided me with patience and desire to follow his word and to wait for his guidance. I'm going to share a story of just this last weekend. I was attending a baby shower for my DIL and my ex's wife was to be there. I called Linda(praying granny) that morning and ask her to pray for me. This lady was a friend of mine for 23 yrs. and my ex. decided he'd rather be with her. I turned into a hateful person and wished the worst for them both. My hate was so strong that I become terribly ill. I than realized I would have to forgive both of the, for me to grow. And ask forgiveness for the awful feelings I was carrying around with me. Don't get me wrong, it still hurts and I feel anger but I know I have the Lord walking with me. When I know that I will be around them I pray for guidence. The last few days I've thought about how the Lord has answred my prayers. Our time at the shower went well. I know that if I had not believed he'd get me through this, I could of easyly opened my mouth and not been kind. But the miracle of it all is I didn't feel the hate for her. My heart opened up with saddness and sorrow for her.As for the question about writing down what I ask of God~guidance~and how he answered. I just realized I had just done that above. I'm sitting here feelng peace in my heart. How has God spoken to me through his creation. Just the beauty, the season changes preparing for the season ahead. A new born baby, the creation and Birth. Love at first site. The list is on going if only we would open our eyes to see. I know this is a little long, but when I do get started, it seems he just keeps filling me up with more to share. This has been a really good scripture study.
http:///www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 05:18:13 AM
Topic 3 is posted!
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Jan 17 2012 : 12:07:46 AM
Ashley...I loved what you shared. Being a Bible Study Teacher to me means that I must keep myself Teachable
at all times. It never means I have all the answers. It means I first study and learn at the feet of Jesus,
so that I can merely pass along the truths that he has given to me first...through personal study and prayer. So, you have learned the first lesson of a good teacher...Be Teachable! Never think that you have arrived...because this side of Heaven...we are ALL students of our Rabbi Jesus (Rabbi means Teacher).
Julia...my friend, you and I seem to be wordy students, don't we? LOL We are probably scaring others off from sharing...I hope not. Ashley...just reign us in if you need to. You're the Leader. I think I understood your comments about my Morning Glory and How I see God in all The Universe/His Creation shouts
His Praise. But please do not bow down to me girlfriend, I am nothing!!! The only righteousness within me
is God's Spirit....the ME part is filthy rags. God says in the word, "Apart from Me you are nothing." Amen to That! And He knows it and I know it. Any good in me...is just like The God Light in my Morning Glory...it is God shining through me.
Kristina...God has been showing me alot about 'Peace' too in my personal daily devotion. When we breathe him in, feast on him and drink from his fountain of wisdom and truth...we know the Perfect Peace that passes all understanding.
blessings,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be His! |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 06:49:16 AM
Question: What voices are competing for your attention? Find a quiet place to get alone with God. Worship, pray, and listen.
Interesting enough, I was reading my daily devotional yesterday and it was connecting my thought. It brought my thought to how the devil competes for our attention, and how I have been listening recently.
The topic was "Wait for Peace."
(Psalm 85:8)
Here are portions that spoke to me:
"When the enemy, the deceiver, speaks to us, he cannot give peace."
"If peace cannot hold its weight against the guidance you have heard, then don't proceed..."
"Peace is confirmation that you are truly hearing from God and that your timing is right to take action."
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
|
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 15 2012 : 05:12:57 AM
Wonderful! Beautiful! Morning!
I think I now understand why I was called to lead this study. Simple answer: I needed to rededicate my life to God.
I was working early this morning on my Bible while the house was quiet on section 5 of this week. In the additional verses section Genesis 41:1-43 is what I was working on. I decided that after I finished the entire section I would go back to Genesis and look something up. Well, I did and I could NOT find what I was looking for, so I just started to leaf through the pages that came before Genesis and this is what I found in BOLD BLUE PRINT. "Heavenly Father, I want to be a real Christian. I realize my sins have seperated me from you. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus Christ paid the penalty for my sins on the cross. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus. I want to follow you and obey you forever. Amen".
I had big tears well up inside and just knew that this was 100% what I needed. Maybe the point of it all for me. The feeling that I have in my heart at this moment is pure happiness and love.
I just wanted to share what I read. Maybe I'm not the only one who needs to read the words I read this morning.
I love you all.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 6:18:43 PM
PeggyAnn, do you know what I love love love?
I love that as I was reading some responses I was thinking, "I have not seen PeggyAnn's response yet. I hope we're cool. I'm certain we are. I hope she realizes the depth of discussion she brought to this bounty. I hope she knows how many more people she has more than likely brought to the bible..if for no other reason than a budding curiosity." I saw your morning glory but didn't for a moment notice that it was YOURS! I was just completely stunned by it. I thought, "My, that she can see God so clearly here..This is a woman who understands my point of view!" I made my comment and then when I saw the others that followed and realized that it was you, I was absolutely giddy! "God in action..God's umbilical connecting each of to all things!" This humbles me so completely and makes me smile such that my face hurts!
PeggyAnn, to the sacredness of you and the beauty you possess, I bow deeply.
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 1:30:37 PM
Beautiful, Peggy!
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 11:30:11 AM
Julia...the beauty of it, wasn't just in that one flower...(and the light didn't come off a camera flash) all the flowers looked just the same way. They amazed everyone who saw them! They amazed me!!! I love when
God speaks like that don't you? He continually WOWS me!
hugs,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be His! |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 11:22:46 AM
The picture of that morning glory blew my mind!! I shall carry that with me all day. Thank you so much for sharing it!!
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| LadyInRed |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 11:08:58 AM
Question Two: About writing down our prayer requests and answers....
When I was new in my walk with The Master I often wrote down my prayer requests and God's answers. I found it a good lesson in being able to see how God really works in answering prayer and how He does not work on our time-table or our agenda.
I soon learned too that I was treating God almost like Santa Claus or a Gini in a Bottle-giving him my wish list and asking Him to fulfill it for me.
Now as I have walked longer with Him I know that he knows my wants, needs and desires even better than I do. And I have often seen him meet a need or want or desire even when I haven't spoken of it.
And I believe because now, I have learned to ask him what is on His agenda/or to do list for us every day and to not give him mine and ask him to help me check it off item by item. If we are in tune to God's agenda...we will be thrilled by life's little interuptions in our day, because we will see them as divine appointments not a nuesance to our schedule. We will know that a divine appointment was on his agenda and we will be anticipating it and thrilled when it happens.
I have also found that when God is seeminly "silent" as a few of you brought up...that He is merely working behind the scenes on my behalf and I can trust him and be content in that knowledge.
Have you ever prayed about a situation and later realized that God had answered it but just not in the way you thought He would? That happens to me all the time...and I recognized early on that alot of times when I prayed I also had a specific way that I wanted or expected God to answer. (Again) almost pushing my own agenda and will on Him. Shame on me. God wants me to come along side His will and His plans not visa-versa. He is The Master we are the students, we are to learn at His feet, no matter how long it takes...for us to begin to recognize that still small voice from with-in.
When listening for that gentle voice our world around us Thunders for our attention. I won't write down my laundry list of things that vie for our attention in this very noisy world. But only when we are quiet before Him can we hear that small voice from within. That is why God says, "Be still and know that I am God." Even Jesus, continually went away to the Garden, or on a hill overlooking Jeruslem to be alone with His Heavenly Father.
I loved verse four when God talks to Balaam through the
voice of an Ass. I love God's sense of humor don't you? Balaam was acting like a stuborn jack-ass himself...so God spoke to him through a jack-ass. That got His attention I am sure!
And Saul never saw God more clearly than when God struck him blind. That is a lot to think about and meditate on. God not only changed Saul's visual direction but he changed the inner man and made him a mighty man of The Way/The Good News/The Truth/The Word...not a man of RELIGION. He became a man of RELATIONSHIP with Jesus/God/Holy Spirit.
I am a Follower of Jesus but I am not RELIGIOUS in any way shape or form. I detest Religion! I love Jesus!
Jen...I liked what you said about The Word being not only an Instruction Guide but it also being a letter. I do view the Bible as God's love letters to me.
Question 3...Have you ever consciously disobeyed God?
I have to answer yes, just like we all will, because we are all sinners saved by grace. Do I have regrets? Yes and No!
It is hard to regret things that turn out to be your biggest life lessons. The stepping stones of life that lead you first away from The Father's will but then he turns around and uses those very things for good not bad....as He turns you back around towards himself and embraces you in those wonderful waiting arms of forgiveness and love.
I can also tell you this when ever I have flat out disobeyed...I discovered that God used somebody else to accomplish his will. See, he really doesn't need our help in anything...but he allows us to come along and be apart of the Joy and the goodness and the Mercy of His Loving Nature and will. Everytime I do not obey...he merely shows me what I missed out on...and that he chose to use someone else to help him accomplish His agenda. We can never thwart God's Plans and His agenda by our own ego (as Julia stated) or our own stubornness or our own short-sightedness. His will is going to be accomplished...with or without you. It is your choice whether you want to get in on the Joy and Victory Party or not. I have learned that I would much rather be a blessing to others and receive the joy that it brings to my heart and soul than to stamp my foot at God in a bit of a temper-tandrum because I wanted things my way. Not anyone elses. ~ My only regrets are not being a blessing to others and how my wrong choices have had a rippling affect in the lives of others.
When we make a wrong choice it does not just affect our lives...sin is sin because it hurt someone.
Next Question about God speaking to us in visions and dreams...I absolutely know he does. He has given me visions and dreams but not necessarily of future happenings. He gives me the words to my inspirational poetry in my sleep. And I have to get up and put paper to pen and write them down immediately. He has also given some to me in the day. It is of His choosing...but I believe He knows I am quietest in my sleep. LOL He has helped me solve perplexing problems in my sleep and when I awaken I know just how to Handle them God's way.
I also believe that the Heavens and the Earth Declare His Glory. I cannot see a sunrise or sunset without praising the God of all Creation. My youngest son Shane when he was around three...explained it best...when we were in the car for a ride and God gave us a Glorious Sunset. He said, "Moma, look God has prettier color crayons than I do." He recognized the Glory of God in the beauty of His Creation.
Indeed...out of the mouths of babes.
I believe God's fingerprints are everywhere but the saddest I would be is if they were not all over my Heart!
This is a picture of a Morning Glory I grew last Spring...it shouts God. In fact I called it
"God Light". If that doesn't declare his Glory I don't know God very well.
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I am loving all your answers, questions and comments. Bible Study thrills my Soul.
blessings,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
"Leave Your Cares Behind...Join Us On The Porch"
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be His! |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 14 2012 : 04:16:21 AM
Julia, It is true that cancer may have been too strong of a word from your point of view. Although, I do know people who have torn their families lives apart and nearly destroyed their own over doubt (in everything, not just the Lord). So, it can be a serious life issue. Luckily, I can not compare to that, so an infected splinter would probably be a better comparison for me..lol.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| GinghamGirl |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 5:44:42 PM
1.How have you used God's Word to guide your decisions?
When I am facing a decision, I find everything I can in my Bible that would pertain to the situation. Based from what GOD say's, I then pray and apply it to my life. |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 10:29:21 AM
This is the BEST!
Ashley, "Doubt in general is like a cancer at times." I understand your metaphor but from my point of view Doubt is like a wee splinter to the wickedness that cancer is. Cancer is a beast all to itself and doubt...well doubt is a tough-love kind of teacher.
Friends~ One of the things that challenges me about studying the Bible is pulling out lines and passages as if those single sentences or short paragraphs paint an entire picture. Sometimes they do but not always. It's like quoting only a single line from a poem and not considering the whole piece as it paints the full picture.
What you quoted from James is a beautiful case in point. You've selected the author's lines about Doubt and he says very clearly that we should not doubt for if we do, we are like the waves of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. What is implied here when reading it in isolation this way is that the man has doubts in God and I don't think that's what the author intended. To read this all by itself does not capture what the author is trying to say about the very difficult thing it is for us to NOT be seduced by doubt or wavering faith. It only tells us not to, which speaks to our egos that love nothing more than to remind us of how weak and lowly we are. But when you read the entire passage a bigger picture comes forth.
The first line simply suggests the author's audience but the second and third lines highlight what his entire point is and it is no mistake that this comes at the beginning. It is a literary tool to suggest emphasis. The author writes, "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." WOW! From the beginning he lets us know that seeking wisdom will bring trial and error. He gives us a permission slip that says, "Don't worry about fumbling..it's all good!" He follows that in the fourth line with, "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Oh man...what a beautiful thing to say. He is totally acknowledging that the way to wisdom is through growth, which is painful but to stick to it is all that matters. Every mistake, every falter, every question, every everything still makes one perfect and complete. He is speaking of the divinity within each and every one of us. He is sharing an ancient wisdom. He goes on in the fifth line to acknowledge that not everyone has come to this wisdom yet. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him." The next line is what you've already discussed but as I read it I wonder if the author is referring to one having doubt in God or having doubt in oneself. I tend to read it as the latter not the former. I think that because of the metaphor he uses after it. The man who doubts is tossed around in this life easily persuaded up by the slightly breezy distraction.
The author spends the next 15 lines discussing what it is to be a man in doubt. He uses the analogy of the poor man who is tried and tested again and again comparing himself to the rich man who seems to have everything, including the favor of God. In our time, this is exactly like the rich man who thanks God for his gifts and talents that have led him to such wealth but refuses to support people he deems unworthy, below him, of a lower class, etc..etc..We hear stories of this all the time. I can think of no better example than the Wal-Mart shoppers who trample upon other people even unto death in order to get their discounted X-Box! The one in doubt stands and watches in horror and asks, "How can this happen? How can people get away with this?" The author tells us that they don't. They suffer and if we stay in doubt of how life plays out in its infinite wisdom we will never see it. The author ends this extraordinary passage by simply sharing more ancient wisdom. It isn't what you say..it's what you do. It isn't what you look like..it's who you are...In the Gospel of Thomas Jesus said (I'm paraphrasing) it isn't what you put into your mouth that matters (he was referring to purity and kosher laws) it is what comes out that is important.
My friends..it seems to me that James is encouraging us to not doubt in ourselves because when we do, we doubt God. He speaks so clearly in lines 12 - 15 of the pitfalls of the ego and how the ego loves to create doubt and when one lacks wisdom that doubt is misinterpreted and placed upon God.
Oh man..there I go again..Somebody just slap me!!! This really is one of my favorite thins to talk about and I can babble on a lot!! But your inquiries and comments are so inspiring and insightful that I can't resist!!! Let me know if it gets to be too much. Seriously, I can handle it!!! Many blessings to each of you!!
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 06:44:35 AM
Ashley, I read that verse too and it really made me think. I must say that I doubt quite a bit. Just like the past few weeks. Especially when someone says they are sending me something and I am expecting it and running to the mailbox every day and it's not there. And we are getting farther and farther behind. I get discouraged. Very easlily. And I can't understand why I put so much faith in people when ALL my faith should be in God ONLY. I know people will fail me. I fail people so much myself. I should know this. That scripture makes so much sense. I do love how God just pops those verses out for us to see. Then we have that little "ah ha" moment. And things make a little more sense. I know God is still trying to teach me so much. And I am SO slow at learning. And I think that's ok. Life is just one big lesson anyway. I am so thankful we have a guidebook to get us through.
Julia, my Grandmother told me years ago that all our prayers are up there with God. We just have to pray that one time and He gets it. If we never say that particular prayer ever again, He is working on it. We may never see that prayer answered in our lifetime, but one way or another, it is answered. And you say that if we start a prayer with "I" then our ego is speaking? So we need to change our way of wording our prayers. We should always ask for God's will in every situation. I hardly ever pray for myself, except to ask God to keep my mouth shut or help me to say the right things. Which is so hard for me, especially with my kids. I am still learning that lesson as well. And I have big feet!
Thank you, Maddie, for all your input. You have such a sweet gentle spirit. I do pray for that alot. I am so glad we are all different and we do see God differently too. He does speak to each of us in a way that we can understand. Sometimes it takes longer for one person than another. I know what you mean about dropping things at one's feet. Sometimes the answers are right under our noses all along.
I am going to do the 3rd question later. So I will see y'all then.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| knead2garden |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 04:32:41 AM
Hey Ladies,
I think one thing I've noticed is that the key in all of this is give God the wheel and ask for what you think you want/need. He may know better and decide you do not want/need whatever it is you feel is important at that time.
I'm going to skip to #2. It held significant power for me. One of the additional verses was Jame 1:5-8. I really feel like this should have been a main verse in the study, but it could just be what I needed to hear at that time. This part of the scripture was what made it all click:(6)But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, b/c he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (7)That man should not think he would receive anything from the Lord.
It shows me that doubt in the Lord (which in all honesty I've had my fair share of) is the key to most of our problems. Doubt in general is like a cancer at times for me.
In this part of the syudy it says that "God does not want us to be robots". The idea that we were created to think, create, and choose is in some way a comfort to me.
I really love all of your comments as I read through this. Such a blessing each of you are.
Much love,
Ashley
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
| fille de ferme |
Posted - Jan 13 2012 : 04:14:13 AM
Hi Kris :) I thought about you questioning the second question over night & the only answer I came up with is that we are all different. The way & means we conclude that the Lord is reaching out to us, will always be different. No two people learn the same way. So, I think hearing from the Lord will come to you in a way, only you can understand, unique to your needs & personality. It has been said, to never compare yourself to others. Do Not loose Faith or Heart, He will reveal Himself. He may just drop a book at your feet ;)
Blessings |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 7:20:14 PM
Kris~ I was really moved to read your post. You present such a wonderful existential question. Why is it that sometimes my prayers are answered so clearly and other times they seem ignored? Then you added the clincher question,"But is HE really doing nothing?" What comes to mind is a great quote by Rumi. "There are many kinds of prayers that God in His infinite kindness ignores." Wow right?! What your question is getting at and is right in line with Rumi's quote is that when we come to stand before God full of ego our intention, good or bad, gets in the way of everything. Our ego blocks our intention from going out and inhibits anything from being received. How do you know your ego is speaking? Every single time you begin a prayer with I you can rest assured that your ego is dancing up a storm!
I gasped when I read that you typed up your response, hit the wrong key and poof! Nothing makes me swear like sailor more than that! I'm sorry it happened but it sounds like you are fully recovered. Blessings to you!
Madeline I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you are so aware of what isn't 'coincidence' in life. The book, literally, falling at your feet made me smile ear to ear. It made me think of a story that goes something like there's this guy on a capsized boat floating in the sea. He prays to God for a sign that he will be rescued. Just as he's finishing his prayer a little rickety tug boat chugs on by. The captain offers to bring him on board when the man waves him away saying that he's waiting for a sign from God. Next a scuba diver shows up with his fancy sail boat not too far away and the man does the same thing. Next a cruise ship comes along but the man refuses to get on board steeped in his conviction that God will save him. Finally hours pass and he's beginning to lose hope. Suddenly he hears a thunderous voice shout at him, "What is your problem?" The man is terrified and and stutters, "I was just waiting for a sign from you is all!" God replied, "For heavens sake, I sent you a tug boat, a diver and a cruise ship! What other signs did you want?!"
I grow ever more confident that Life unfolding precisely as it IS is the wisdom of God. When we fight it, we suffer.
Ladies, here is my perspective on Verses 2 and 3.
Verse 2: Exodus 37:1-5 (Ask for detailed directions)
In Exodus 35: 30-35 Moses speaks of a craftsman named Bezalel who was filled with the Holy Spirit to carry out the building of the tabernacle and the ark. It was not Moses who was commanded to do these things but I’m assuming he was led to this man and reassured him of the task at hand. Here’s where the skeptic in me comes out in shining color. What does it mean to be God Inspired? Is the voice of God really that specific and more to the point, is it important that voice of God be so specific, so precise..right down to the last cubit and the number of gold rings necessary to hold the poles to carry the ark? Why do those specifications have to be God’s blueprint? I ask the question to challenge the literal interpretation.
My view of this passage isn’t that the God gave Bezalel the Home Depot list of supplies and the building specifics directly but that these things were “God Inspired” to suggest that they were very important. Everything about the tablets of the Ten Commandments, how they were to be displayed and preserved forever in the ark, shrouded in the finest cloth suggests that they were spectacularly important. When one is to make an offering to God, one must offer the finest of everything. Bezalel, with Moses, wanted and needed to do this and so they did. It makes me think of the magnificent cathedrals of the world. There’s one in Germany, in Trier that took 800 years to build! Generations of people worked on this cathedral. Masons, stained glass artisans, black smiths etc…dedicated their lives to erecting a monument to God. Did God tell them precisely what to do and how to build this cathedral? I don’t think so but the inspiration that their faith gave them led them to devote everything they had to this building. Therefore, it isn’t necessary that God specify these things..What’s important, is that people dare to listen deeply to God’s voice that waits so patiently in the depths of one’s heart and act accordingly with the gifts they possess.
Verse 3: 1 Kings 19:12 (Listen for a still small voice)
What I LOVE about this verse is how Elijah was completely freaking out! He was so battered and confused that I can almost picture him floundering around like a madman. He traveled the classic mythological 40 days and 40 nights hero’s journey until he comes upon a cave. Here’s where it gets awesome! He hears the voice of God but he can’t figure out where it is and where it’s coming from. A gale storm breaks out so severe that the mountain is crumbling. He’s watching rocks fall crashing down the mountainside. But he realizes the voice of God he’s hearing is not in the wind. Next, the earth trembles and he survives an earthquake but once again the voice of God is not that. Next a fire breaks out and as he watches the voice he hears is not there in the fire. He listens again, deeper, with greater humility and he discovers that the voice of God is within him! The poetry of this verse is so magnificent. The still small voice he hears is so humbling that he covers his face with his cloak. I can only imagine that he wants to listen so intently that he doesn’t want his eyes to distract him.
Listening to the voice of God within is one of the oldest pieces of wisdom that has been shared with us through all the great sages. There isn’t a single religion that does not promote this truth.
For me personally the voice that competes most competently with the voice of God has absolutely nothing to do with outside forces. Those are just excuses we’ve inherited because they’re convenient outlets for placing blame. The truth is that nothing is noisier than the voice of my own ego! When my ego takes the form of my mean spirited fire-breathing dragon, this is the voice of doubt that I hear with such fierceness that I often wonder why I don’t cry more often. This is the voice that is always reminding me of the ways I fall short, the things I shouldn’t do, shouldn’t say, can’t do as well as others and so forth. This dragon of mine is enormous sometimes and it totally blocks my way. I’m learning how to slay it with mindful courage and confidence. When my ego takes the form of an inflated bobble-head, this voice boasts with such recklessness that I swear it relishes in watching me walk toward fire! When I am settled—when my mind is empty and when I take the time to notice that what I do and who I am is ‘good enough’, I hear that small voice and it tells me to ‘just be.’
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
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Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 4:08:22 PM
Thank You Ashley for this new topic my mind is pondering. I have to say though, I am reading a devotional book & Rick Warren's A Purpose Driven Life & they are running on the same lines as this topic. I can only conclude that the Lord is talking to me through these forms :) I find He talks to me by urging me, to continue reading. Heck, he even dropped the book at my feet, literally the first time I read it & now I have this urge to read & think about it at a more leisurely pace. To answer How have I used God's word to help in my decisions. I am still pondering the question but I do know when I have some decision to make, I take my Bible & I flip the pages & where my finger stops, I read the passage. It has helped find my answers numerous times & has given me peace. I know that might sound a bit childish but I do not know the Bible well enough, to go to exactly where I would find the answer. Again, I can only conclude that the Lord has helped me, by using this childish manner :)
Blessings |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 06:48:10 AM
On the 2nd question, I have a question. Why does God speak to some people so clearly and others have to search and read and go through all kinds of things to finally get that answer? There are so many times I have prayed specifically for my kids and right away He answers and does something. Other times, and there are alot, He does nothing. Or so I think. But is He really doing nothing?
I started journaling when my youngest daughter was 15. My oldest is 2 years older. They are now 32 and 30. I have stacks of journals. And they are mostly about those 2 girls. It's very depressing to go back and read some of them. BUT MOST of the time, there is GOOD things that I wrote down. God is SO good. And I have to ask for Him to forgive me SO many times for my unbelief. SO many times. And the past few weeks has been a very anxious time for me. But I KNOW that He hears me and He loves me and He WILL take care of me. He's up there right now working on some of my prayers. So why do I worry and fret and make myself sick sometimes because He does not come down here and stand in front of me and TELL me step by step what I am supposed to do. It just does not work that way. At least not for me. Well, maybe a few times. But I will tell those stories in a few days.
I am so enjoying the time I am spending looking into God's word and praying and asking for His guidance. Yesterday, I sat here and typed out most of the devotional and I wanted to check it so hit the preview button and it all dissappeared. Gone in a flash. I almost cried. Well, I did. So I will try to get it back up. It's just so good. But maybe it was just for me.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 06:41:34 AM
Question 1: How have you used God’s Word to guide your decisions?
I tend to let family member's behavior affect my behavior, so I have used God's Word to direct my thoughts and feelings by meditating on God's Word for guidance. His mercy is continuous in my life. I mess up, he loves me anyway.
In the past I have copied Bible verses, glued them to note cards, and put them in a ring. I used to carry them anywhere I went. I stopped doing that, but still have the cards. I do keep a Bible in the glove compartment of my van. When I have to run kids here and there, or have to wait in my van, I have it there to read.
I recently have written down verses, one different one every week or so, and kept it in my pants/jacket pocket. When a situation is present, I can take out my paper and read it.
Farmgirl #800
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| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Jan 11 2012 : 10:03:08 PM
Prayer:
"Many people pray as though to overcome the will of a reluctant God, instead of taking hold of the willingness of a loving God."
The question is not "God, can you give me what I want please?" It's "God, what is the best for me?" (or the person I am praying on behalf of)
I also get a lot of mileage out of "please close the wrong doors and open the right ones".
The Bible:
To Christians, the Bible is partially "an instruction manual", but its really more like a letter from God to us (and dictated to the authors.) The underlying theme from beginning to end is the story of God's love for mankind. It starts in creation, where creating a world that brought Adam joy, brought pleasure to God, in the same kind of way giving your child an amazing Christmas gift they love more than any other pleases a parent.
The rest is a story that follows God's relationship with man, and explains to us the nature of an infinite being who's number one priority is humanity. That's a pretty big wow.
I have never read about, or heard of a diety that put half as much concern towards mortals as the God of Christianity (and I spent some effort chasing down paganism.) If a person believes in an omnipotent force or a creator, I'd like to see any reasons that make a god of another name or set of beliefs MORE worthy of consideration than "The Great I Am".
(Numbers 23:19 NIV) God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Exodus 34:5-7 NIV) Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. {6} And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, {7} maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
And of course, John 3:16. Sadly so cliche'd today, it's difficult to imagine the scope of what it really means.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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