Kay started off Session 6 with a little review.
1. "Sin will take you further than you ever expected to go; it will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay, and it will cost you more than you ever expected to pay." Kay reminded us that according to Numbers 32:23, "your sin will find you out". I loved this quote from Kay: "God is so holy that He doesn't try to protect His reputation by covering our sins". In other words... because God is Holy and cannot look on sin or endure it, He will allow the consequences of our sins to play out... even if it makes Him "look" unjust, mean, or unkind.
King David's sin with Bathsheba had huge consequences. In 2 Sam 12:10-14, Nathan the prophet reveals to David just what his sin will cost him (which as we've learned is more than he expected to pay). He was told that the sword would never depart from his house (vs 10); rebellion would come within his household in public view (vs 11); this would happen in broad daylight (vs 12); David understands the severity of his sin yet Nathan assures him God has forgiven him (vs 13); but Bathsheba's child will die (vs 14). As you continue to read David's story in the subsequent chapters, you will find that all of these consequences came to be.
Yet, despite the devastating consequences, David at this crossroads, where he could have been tempted to turn his back on God, he chose to go "deeper still" into the grace of God by confessing his sin (vs 13). 1 John 5 tells us "there is a sin unto death". Kay told us that when we mess up in sin that we can give up or we can embrace God's grace and move forward to be used of God. He won't remove the consequences, but He can make something of our past sins. It is through this type of awakening and realization of his actions, and his acceptance of God's grace, that King David wrote Psalm 51, one of our most beloved Psalms.
2. What is grace?
Kay told us that grace is what saves us through faith, but it doesn't end at salvation.
3. Grace is favor (benefit, kindness)
Charis is the Greek word - it means free, unearned, in contrast to something you would earn or something you would work for. How freeing to know we don't have to earn God's grace. He freely gives it to us!
4. Grace is available because God is gracious
This is part of His nature. It's Who He is! Grace and Truth come through Jesus Christ. Psalm 84:11 tells us that God has always been gracious. So when we find ourselves in sin, are we going to go into depression, anxiety, self-pity or are we going to tap into God's grace?
1 John 1:9 tells us what we can do with our sins. It assures us that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. Kay told us He bathes us... scrubs us clean. She said, "you mention everything you know (sins) and He covers what you don't because He knows your heart". She went on to ask us, "Are you moaning/groaning about past sins? (that is a sin!). If God has forgiven us, that is enough. We don't have to "forgive" ourselves".
5. Grace is power (2 Cor 12:7-10)
God's grace is powered through the Holy Spirit and He gives us the power not to sin. He gives us the power to take us through anything and everything. His power is perfected in our weakness, Paul tells us in 2 Cor 12:9. His grace will get us through any situation and God won't give us anything we can't handle.
6. Grace is previous. (Eph 1:3)
Kay explained this point by saying, "If we stop groaning about our past, He'll use it to help others not want to go where we've been." God is our Redeemer! That's why Kay shares her testimony, sins and all. In Eph 1:3, God knew we were going to sin before the foundations of the world and He planned our redemption right from the start. He is going to redeem our sin! We can't change the past. We can spend our lives long for what could have, might have, should have been, but we can't move forward in that. We need to "forget what's behind and press forward" (Phil 3:13)
In King David's life you can see how God's grace is previous clearly. In 2 Sam 7, David was promised by God a "house/dynasty". He was told that his anointed son would build the temple. This was told to him previous to his sin with Bathsheba. The son God was calling to this task of building the temple was Solomon, a son given to David and Bathsheba after their sin, after that first child was dead and buried. That, my friends, is grace! Because of David's sin, he himself was not able to build God's temple due to the bloodshed at his hand, yet God allowed David to plan the temple details and allowed his son, Solomon to be the one to build God's home. Grace indeed.
God wants you and I, no matter our past sins, to be His instruments of sharing His truth and to act in His image. We have been bought with a price. I Cor 15:10 tells us that by grace "I am what I am".
Joy truly does come in the morning, if we will believe God and if we will appropriate and walk in His grace. Will you do so today?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session Five ~ Sin is Deadly
I'm very late in getting these last two sessions up on our blog but that in no way suggests that they weren't important to our study or to our lives.
In Session 5 Kay Arthur was our teacher and she started her time with us by asking a few very pointed questions before leading on us in our study on the life of David. She asked, "Does your spiritual walk lack a zeal? Are you weary? Is your guard down? Are you tempted to indulge the flesh? Overwhelmed? Disappointed?" She then went on to share her burden for North America. She so strongly feels that we have sunk into a pit that we've made with our own hands. The North American church is at a crossroads.
King David in 2 Samuel 11 was at a crossroads. As Kay read the story of David and Bathsheba each and every step of the way David made a decision that would ultimately snowball him into one huge regret after another. Each step took him farther and farther into sin. Kay told us that at these "crossroads, every single step there is an opportunity to stop and make a choice - do we choose sin or do we choose to go 'Deeper Still' with God?" We can choose at that crossroads to go God's way or our own.
Kay lead us to 4 passages defining what sin is. (Be sure to look these passages up for yourself!)
1. James 4:17 ~ Sin is to know the right thing and no do it.
2. 1 John 3:4 ~ Sin is lawlessness. It means that you are not going to keep the law of God.
3. 1 John 5:17 ~ All unrighteousness is sin. To not do what is right in the eyes of God is sin.
4. Romans 14:23 ~ Whatever is not of faith is sin.
I think after No. 4 we can ask ourselves, what is faith? The book of Hebrews (chapter 11 specifically) tells us that (and we'll be studying the book of Hebrews with Kay in our first 2 sessions of our Winter/Spring semester starting late January). We can also ask ourselves, what can we put in this category of "whatever is not faith"? In my small group our minds first thought of doubt and worry as fitting into this category. Can you think of any others?
Kay shared with us 5 things about sin taken from David's life in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and 1 Chronicles 11:41.
1. Sin will take you further than you ever intended to go.
At each of David's "crossroads" of decision, he sunk further and further into a pit he made of his own hands. He should have been at war, not wandering around his roof that day. He should have turned away when he saw Bathsheba bathing on her roof, not asking for information about her. He should have run to God in his moment of temptation, not summoning Bathsheba to his palace... and bed. He should have dealt with her pregnancy honorably, not trying to trick Uriah into going home so it would seem the baby Bathsheba was carrying was her husbands. On and on poor decisions were made by David until he goes from being an adulterer to a murderer.
It's easy enough for us to get caught up in a similar trap though our descent doesn't end in murder like David's. We begin to read or watch things we shouldn't. We begin to feel things we shouldn't. Next thing you know we are so far down a path that we don't know where we are or how we got here but there usually is a path of destruction left behind us. Oh yes, sin will take us further than we ever intended to go!
2. When you sin, you are despising God (2 Sam 12:9)
When we choose to willfully despise the Word of God and God Himself we can be sure trouble is up ahead. Kay asked us a rather convicting question at this point. She asked us, "Do you have time for other things (reading novels, t.v. etc), but not time for studying the Word of God?" Ouch!
3. Sin is evil (2 Sam 12:9)
David thought that he had every base covered along the way but we can't cover our sins from God... and we certainly can't expect God to bless us in the midst of blatant, sin. David's actions were evil in the sight of God. God sees it all. Nothing is hidden from God's sight... right back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve tried to hide their sin from God... right up to today.
God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David on his sin. Nathan told the king a story about a rich man stealing a poor man's beloved sheep and then killing it. David was furious at the outcome and told Nathan that any man who could do such a thing deserves to die. Nathan revealed to David that he, the king himself, was that man. David found himself at yet another crossroads at this moment, didn't he? Does he take this revelation and humble himself, or does he deny it and sink deeper into the pit?
We are always confronted with that same dilemma when confronted with sin. What are we going to do?
4. The temptation to sin is not more than you can bear (1 Cor 10:13)
Kay defined temptation to us as trials, testing, knowing to do good and not doing it. She reminded us that God is Holy. He is faithful and promises to not tempt us beyond what we can bear. Temptation is not unique. That verse in 1 Corinthians calls it "common to man". God promises us there is a way of escape from our temptations. He will enable us to endure it ("it" being the temptation). Kay encouraged us that the way of escape is by walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), not by the flesh. The way we do that is to tap into the Word of God, clinging to His promises! Can you think of times where you saw this verse come to life in your own life?
5. Sin costs you more than you expected to pay. (Num 32:23)
David thought he had covered his sins, but that verse in Numbers tells us that "be sure your sin will find you out". The cost of his sin was the life of that baby Bathsheba conceived. It also cost him in more ways as God, through Nathan revealed the consequences of his sin, which Kay covered in Session 6.
Kay left us with a really thought provoking question. She asked, "What do we miss from God at the crossroads of life, when we walk away and start doing our own thing?" Our sin really does cost us more than we expected to pay and it is in those things that we'll never fully know or understand, those blessings from God we miss when we walk away in rebellion that are lost.
Where do we go from here? Ahh... that's the Great News of Jesus Christ. In Session 6 Kay shares with us about God's grace. He doesn't leave us in that pit of our own making. Let's see how God redeems King David so we understand more of how this "sinner" could be called "a man after God's own heart".
In Session 5 Kay Arthur was our teacher and she started her time with us by asking a few very pointed questions before leading on us in our study on the life of David. She asked, "Does your spiritual walk lack a zeal? Are you weary? Is your guard down? Are you tempted to indulge the flesh? Overwhelmed? Disappointed?" She then went on to share her burden for North America. She so strongly feels that we have sunk into a pit that we've made with our own hands. The North American church is at a crossroads.
King David in 2 Samuel 11 was at a crossroads. As Kay read the story of David and Bathsheba each and every step of the way David made a decision that would ultimately snowball him into one huge regret after another. Each step took him farther and farther into sin. Kay told us that at these "crossroads, every single step there is an opportunity to stop and make a choice - do we choose sin or do we choose to go 'Deeper Still' with God?" We can choose at that crossroads to go God's way or our own.
Kay lead us to 4 passages defining what sin is. (Be sure to look these passages up for yourself!)
1. James 4:17 ~ Sin is to know the right thing and no do it.
2. 1 John 3:4 ~ Sin is lawlessness. It means that you are not going to keep the law of God.
3. 1 John 5:17 ~ All unrighteousness is sin. To not do what is right in the eyes of God is sin.
4. Romans 14:23 ~ Whatever is not of faith is sin.
I think after No. 4 we can ask ourselves, what is faith? The book of Hebrews (chapter 11 specifically) tells us that (and we'll be studying the book of Hebrews with Kay in our first 2 sessions of our Winter/Spring semester starting late January). We can also ask ourselves, what can we put in this category of "whatever is not faith"? In my small group our minds first thought of doubt and worry as fitting into this category. Can you think of any others?
Kay shared with us 5 things about sin taken from David's life in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and 1 Chronicles 11:41.
1. Sin will take you further than you ever intended to go.
At each of David's "crossroads" of decision, he sunk further and further into a pit he made of his own hands. He should have been at war, not wandering around his roof that day. He should have turned away when he saw Bathsheba bathing on her roof, not asking for information about her. He should have run to God in his moment of temptation, not summoning Bathsheba to his palace... and bed. He should have dealt with her pregnancy honorably, not trying to trick Uriah into going home so it would seem the baby Bathsheba was carrying was her husbands. On and on poor decisions were made by David until he goes from being an adulterer to a murderer.
It's easy enough for us to get caught up in a similar trap though our descent doesn't end in murder like David's. We begin to read or watch things we shouldn't. We begin to feel things we shouldn't. Next thing you know we are so far down a path that we don't know where we are or how we got here but there usually is a path of destruction left behind us. Oh yes, sin will take us further than we ever intended to go!
2. When you sin, you are despising God (2 Sam 12:9)
When we choose to willfully despise the Word of God and God Himself we can be sure trouble is up ahead. Kay asked us a rather convicting question at this point. She asked us, "Do you have time for other things (reading novels, t.v. etc), but not time for studying the Word of God?" Ouch!
3. Sin is evil (2 Sam 12:9)
David thought that he had every base covered along the way but we can't cover our sins from God... and we certainly can't expect God to bless us in the midst of blatant, sin. David's actions were evil in the sight of God. God sees it all. Nothing is hidden from God's sight... right back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve tried to hide their sin from God... right up to today.
God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David on his sin. Nathan told the king a story about a rich man stealing a poor man's beloved sheep and then killing it. David was furious at the outcome and told Nathan that any man who could do such a thing deserves to die. Nathan revealed to David that he, the king himself, was that man. David found himself at yet another crossroads at this moment, didn't he? Does he take this revelation and humble himself, or does he deny it and sink deeper into the pit?
We are always confronted with that same dilemma when confronted with sin. What are we going to do?
4. The temptation to sin is not more than you can bear (1 Cor 10:13)
Kay defined temptation to us as trials, testing, knowing to do good and not doing it. She reminded us that God is Holy. He is faithful and promises to not tempt us beyond what we can bear. Temptation is not unique. That verse in 1 Corinthians calls it "common to man". God promises us there is a way of escape from our temptations. He will enable us to endure it ("it" being the temptation). Kay encouraged us that the way of escape is by walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), not by the flesh. The way we do that is to tap into the Word of God, clinging to His promises! Can you think of times where you saw this verse come to life in your own life?
5. Sin costs you more than you expected to pay. (Num 32:23)
David thought he had covered his sins, but that verse in Numbers tells us that "be sure your sin will find you out". The cost of his sin was the life of that baby Bathsheba conceived. It also cost him in more ways as God, through Nathan revealed the consequences of his sin, which Kay covered in Session 6.
Kay left us with a really thought provoking question. She asked, "What do we miss from God at the crossroads of life, when we walk away and start doing our own thing?" Our sin really does cost us more than we expected to pay and it is in those things that we'll never fully know or understand, those blessings from God we miss when we walk away in rebellion that are lost.
Where do we go from here? Ahh... that's the Great News of Jesus Christ. In Session 6 Kay shares with us about God's grace. He doesn't leave us in that pit of our own making. Let's see how God redeems King David so we understand more of how this "sinner" could be called "a man after God's own heart".
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session Four ~ Moving On With Brave Obedience
If I can begin with a little personal reflection before jumping into notes from Beth's second session with us on becoming "Transformed", I need to tell you how incredibly moved I was watching this DVD. Tears burst from my eyes as I became overwhelmed with just how AWESOME our Transforming God is, and just how much what Beth has to say can become anyone's reality because it was mine.
Beth started our session recapping where she left on DVD 3, asking "What do we do when God doesn't do what we expect? What has the enemy done to twist our thinking?" As she discussed being devastated by God she told us that the "enemy is banking on you never getting over the devastation in our lives, BUT (and this is a big BUT) our calling is on the other side of the devastation". Did you hear that?? She went on to say (and I really need to bold this I think) "The greatest work God will ever do in you is on the other side of that personal devastation". I sure don't want to miss out on that. Do you? Beth continued to warn that if we let the enemy hold us in that place of devastation, then we'll be stuck there for who knows how long and it will all be in vein. It'll be like we've missed the boat. We'll miss out on being used by God AND we'll miss out on the blessing that God wants to shower on us.
Romans 8:28 in The Message reminds us that "That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." We have got to move past our devastation or we aren't really living are we? Beth reminded us that "we WILL have the opportunity to have our trust tested to be offended by God. We're going to trust something - either God or not."
Psalm 126:5,6 gives us a tremendous promise in that "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest". I don't know about you, but I want to return from the harvest singing my heart out!
In Session 3 Beth asked us what it will take for us to experience our "this far" moment. After we move past our personal devastation with God, we have got to return to whole-hearted obedience where JOY is coming!! Beth reminded us that we are MORE than conquerors - more than an "overcomer".
Returning to the text in 1 Chronicles 15:12-15, Beth reminded us of how the Israelites returned to obedience when preparing to take the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. They knew the consequences of disobedience (think Uzzah) and King David was determined to do it right this time. Once he got past his personal devastation with God, he recalled God's character. God is GOOD and His presence BLESSES!
Beth took a moment at this point to remind us that devastation doesn't always come as a result of sin or disobedience. It may have nothing to do with it, yet... devastation often leads us to disobedience and sin. She took us to a passage in Song of Songs 6:12 where she pointed out that when we pull our hearts back from God, the enemy comes and carts our passions off in a cart, ending in devastation and disaster. When we try and carry God's work on our own strength we do the same thing with the same results. We don't want that do we?
Beth encouraged us to seek Him and find Him and to seek Him with our whole heart through studying His Word and prayer. This led to her third point in our lesson: to "have the courage to see the fulfillment of God's promises to us". She told us that if we'll invite God to bless us so that HIS name will be great, then we will be blessed. If we ask God to bless us so that our name will be great, the blessing just seems to fall flat doesn't it? It's all about HIM!
Beth guaranteed us that the enemy is banking on us staying "stuck" and she challenged us by asking if we have the courage to walk past the offense we feel with God. Are we willing to accept His promises? Our God IS TRUSTWORTHY!!!
I personally loved when she said that "we don't need to understand the devastation to get through the devastation". We may never know the "why's" of what God does in our lives, but we don't need to have all the answers to move on. In 2 Samuel 7:20-29 we see a post-trauma David praising His God and we can take his example and do likewise post-devastation in our own lives.
Beth told us that "it isn't less hard to stay offended. You're still stuck. It's time to stand up and take courage!" Worship is never a risk and oh what joy comes from laying down our pain and disappointment with God. In our notes Beth pointed out Your God has good things for you - not painless things for you, but good things. Don't you want to receive those? I know I sure do!
Beth reminded us that as the Ark of the Covenant (God's presence) was carried on 2 poles and we too have 2 "poles" to carry God's presence in our own lives - His Word (our Bibles) and Prayer. Without those two "poles", God's presence will topple in our lives and disappointment and devastation are sure to follow.
So as we leave our time with Beth let's recap:
If we want to experience the "this far" moments with God, where we sit back and go "Whoa God... look where You've brought me!", then we need to get past our devastation with God and return to whole-hearted obedience so we can gather the courage to see the fulfillment of His promises to us. I'm in... how about you?
Beth started our session recapping where she left on DVD 3, asking "What do we do when God doesn't do what we expect? What has the enemy done to twist our thinking?" As she discussed being devastated by God she told us that the "enemy is banking on you never getting over the devastation in our lives, BUT (and this is a big BUT) our calling is on the other side of the devastation". Did you hear that?? She went on to say (and I really need to bold this I think) "The greatest work God will ever do in you is on the other side of that personal devastation". I sure don't want to miss out on that. Do you? Beth continued to warn that if we let the enemy hold us in that place of devastation, then we'll be stuck there for who knows how long and it will all be in vein. It'll be like we've missed the boat. We'll miss out on being used by God AND we'll miss out on the blessing that God wants to shower on us.
Romans 8:28 in The Message reminds us that "That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." We have got to move past our devastation or we aren't really living are we? Beth reminded us that "we WILL have the opportunity to have our trust tested to be offended by God. We're going to trust something - either God or not."
Psalm 126:5,6 gives us a tremendous promise in that "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest". I don't know about you, but I want to return from the harvest singing my heart out!
In Session 3 Beth asked us what it will take for us to experience our "this far" moment. After we move past our personal devastation with God, we have got to return to whole-hearted obedience where JOY is coming!! Beth reminded us that we are MORE than conquerors - more than an "overcomer".
Returning to the text in 1 Chronicles 15:12-15, Beth reminded us of how the Israelites returned to obedience when preparing to take the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. They knew the consequences of disobedience (think Uzzah) and King David was determined to do it right this time. Once he got past his personal devastation with God, he recalled God's character. God is GOOD and His presence BLESSES!
Beth took a moment at this point to remind us that devastation doesn't always come as a result of sin or disobedience. It may have nothing to do with it, yet... devastation often leads us to disobedience and sin. She took us to a passage in Song of Songs 6:12 where she pointed out that when we pull our hearts back from God, the enemy comes and carts our passions off in a cart, ending in devastation and disaster. When we try and carry God's work on our own strength we do the same thing with the same results. We don't want that do we?
Beth encouraged us to seek Him and find Him and to seek Him with our whole heart through studying His Word and prayer. This led to her third point in our lesson: to "have the courage to see the fulfillment of God's promises to us". She told us that if we'll invite God to bless us so that HIS name will be great, then we will be blessed. If we ask God to bless us so that our name will be great, the blessing just seems to fall flat doesn't it? It's all about HIM!
Beth guaranteed us that the enemy is banking on us staying "stuck" and she challenged us by asking if we have the courage to walk past the offense we feel with God. Are we willing to accept His promises? Our God IS TRUSTWORTHY!!!
I personally loved when she said that "we don't need to understand the devastation to get through the devastation". We may never know the "why's" of what God does in our lives, but we don't need to have all the answers to move on. In 2 Samuel 7:20-29 we see a post-trauma David praising His God and we can take his example and do likewise post-devastation in our own lives.
Beth told us that "it isn't less hard to stay offended. You're still stuck. It's time to stand up and take courage!" Worship is never a risk and oh what joy comes from laying down our pain and disappointment with God. In our notes Beth pointed out Your God has good things for you - not painless things for you, but good things. Don't you want to receive those? I know I sure do!
Beth reminded us that as the Ark of the Covenant (God's presence) was carried on 2 poles and we too have 2 "poles" to carry God's presence in our own lives - His Word (our Bibles) and Prayer. Without those two "poles", God's presence will topple in our lives and disappointment and devastation are sure to follow.
So as we leave our time with Beth let's recap:
If we want to experience the "this far" moments with God, where we sit back and go "Whoa God... look where You've brought me!", then we need to get past our devastation with God and return to whole-hearted obedience so we can gather the courage to see the fulfillment of His promises to us. I'm in... how about you?
Friday, October 22, 2010
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session Three: Moving Past Our Devastation
Session Three of our study was the first of two sessions with one of our favorite teachers ~ Beth Moore. In this session, Beth took off from where Priscilla left off... King David preparing to move the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem after it had been taken by the Philistine Army.
As Beth got started in her talk, she reminded us women that the Word of God is for life and encouraged us to not leave our difficulties at home. When we bring those difficulties out of the dark, then God can do something with them.
Beth's first point in her talk was that "we can have a good idea that's not a God idea" (Luke 2:4) David wanted to build God a house. David, who lived lavishly in a palace, had decided that God should have a home instead of the portable tent the Ark of the Covenant resided within. God had other ideas for David. God's intent was to build a "house" for David... a royal house and legacy. Beth suggested that to David, upon hearing God's plan for him and his family, this was one of those times when we are stricken with astonishment, sitting back and seeing the awesome things God has done for us. Beth called them in point 2 the "This Far" moments with God.
She defined "this far" moments as those times when we wake up to the fact that we're not where we once were anymore. It's those moments when God Himself makes His glory conspicuous. Can you relate? Have you ever had those moments when you are blown away by how far God has brought you on your journey of faith? I sure have!
Beth continued to say that we can't live our calling or destinies in our own power. We can only do it through God. When we allow Him to empower us by His Holy Spirit, it is then that we can start to see miracles in our lives happen.
The next point Beth shared was that "there's a big difference between relief and release". That's the temporary vs. the transforming power. It's the hopping from one pit to another with a breather in between vs. hopping out of the pit once and for all. I don't know about you, but I want release from the pit!
Beth shared that "God has come to absolutely mark our lives with His glory... He's come to take us "this far"... SO FAR it HAS to be God!" He's not done with us until we're blown away by what He's done in us. She continued... "God is not interested in just adjusting our lives. He wants us TRANSFORMED! Not a tweak, but a full-fledge "SO FAR" transformation". What does that look like? It looks like completely transformed desires, loving what He loves, hating what He hates... letting Him get to our hearts and circumcise them.
At this point in her message, Beth took a little detour of sorts, shifting the focus onto relationships in our lives that may need transformation, such as praying for loved ones. In her humorous way, Beth reminded us that "baggage attracts baggage" and that we are all flawed. She reminded us that there is power in the spoken word and she encouraged us to call out our loved ones names to God as we pray Scripture over them. She encouraged us to pray with everything we've got for them, leaving the "worry" of them to God.
She then went back to ask the question about transformation: What will it take to get there? What can we do to co-operate with God? Firstly she stated...
We've got to move past our (personal) devastation with God. (2 Sam 6:1-10) to which I give a hearty AMEN!! In 2 Samuel 6, David is devastated. While moving the Ark of the Covenant, poor Uzzah stretched out to steady the Ark when immediately upon his finger brushing it BAMM... he was dead on the ground. Here David thought they were doing a good thing by bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem, but the method they were using was not a God thing. Because of disobedience, Uzzah paid the ultimate price. David was ANGRY (v8) at God and then AFRAID (v9) of God. Been there? Ever felt that way about God in your life? Beth told us that nothing can throw us more in our faith walk than when God doesn't act the way we expect Him to. We don't trust Him. He didn't do what we told Him to. I don't know about you, but I spent way too long in that dark pit of devastation. Beth said we can live there the rest of our lives if we want to - the choice is up to us, but she suggested a better way. Move past it. Seek God. He will always meet us when we seek Him with our whole heart. What if David had never been able to get past this moment? Stay tuned for Week Four's session notes to find out what happened next!
As Beth got started in her talk, she reminded us women that the Word of God is for life and encouraged us to not leave our difficulties at home. When we bring those difficulties out of the dark, then God can do something with them.
Beth's first point in her talk was that "we can have a good idea that's not a God idea" (Luke 2:4) David wanted to build God a house. David, who lived lavishly in a palace, had decided that God should have a home instead of the portable tent the Ark of the Covenant resided within. God had other ideas for David. God's intent was to build a "house" for David... a royal house and legacy. Beth suggested that to David, upon hearing God's plan for him and his family, this was one of those times when we are stricken with astonishment, sitting back and seeing the awesome things God has done for us. Beth called them in point 2 the "This Far" moments with God.
She defined "this far" moments as those times when we wake up to the fact that we're not where we once were anymore. It's those moments when God Himself makes His glory conspicuous. Can you relate? Have you ever had those moments when you are blown away by how far God has brought you on your journey of faith? I sure have!
Beth continued to say that we can't live our calling or destinies in our own power. We can only do it through God. When we allow Him to empower us by His Holy Spirit, it is then that we can start to see miracles in our lives happen.
The next point Beth shared was that "there's a big difference between relief and release". That's the temporary vs. the transforming power. It's the hopping from one pit to another with a breather in between vs. hopping out of the pit once and for all. I don't know about you, but I want release from the pit!
Beth shared that "God has come to absolutely mark our lives with His glory... He's come to take us "this far"... SO FAR it HAS to be God!" He's not done with us until we're blown away by what He's done in us. She continued... "God is not interested in just adjusting our lives. He wants us TRANSFORMED! Not a tweak, but a full-fledge "SO FAR" transformation". What does that look like? It looks like completely transformed desires, loving what He loves, hating what He hates... letting Him get to our hearts and circumcise them.
At this point in her message, Beth took a little detour of sorts, shifting the focus onto relationships in our lives that may need transformation, such as praying for loved ones. In her humorous way, Beth reminded us that "baggage attracts baggage" and that we are all flawed. She reminded us that there is power in the spoken word and she encouraged us to call out our loved ones names to God as we pray Scripture over them. She encouraged us to pray with everything we've got for them, leaving the "worry" of them to God.
She then went back to ask the question about transformation: What will it take to get there? What can we do to co-operate with God? Firstly she stated...
We've got to move past our (personal) devastation with God. (2 Sam 6:1-10) to which I give a hearty AMEN!! In 2 Samuel 6, David is devastated. While moving the Ark of the Covenant, poor Uzzah stretched out to steady the Ark when immediately upon his finger brushing it BAMM... he was dead on the ground. Here David thought they were doing a good thing by bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem, but the method they were using was not a God thing. Because of disobedience, Uzzah paid the ultimate price. David was ANGRY (v8) at God and then AFRAID (v9) of God. Been there? Ever felt that way about God in your life? Beth told us that nothing can throw us more in our faith walk than when God doesn't act the way we expect Him to. We don't trust Him. He didn't do what we told Him to. I don't know about you, but I spent way too long in that dark pit of devastation. Beth said we can live there the rest of our lives if we want to - the choice is up to us, but she suggested a better way. Move past it. Seek God. He will always meet us when we seek Him with our whole heart. What if David had never been able to get past this moment? Stay tuned for Week Four's session notes to find out what happened next!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session Two ~ The Anointing: Directed and Guaranteed
I'm a little late in updating notes from Week Two of Priscilla Shirer's teaching. It was so rich with God's Truth that I almost don't know where to begin.
Priscilla opened this session with a cute story about working out with her girlfriend. She talked about how her friend's face while doing numerous sit-ups turned from one of contortion to sheer joy when the friend noticed the trainer standing over her watching. Priscilla asked her audience how our attitude would change if we were aware of our Trainer's presence? Good food for thought, don't you think? For her friend (as well as for us) everything changed when the trainer came near.
Priscilla pointed out to us that God isn't looking for perfect women. He's looking for passionate women. He honors our heart, not our actions. Isn't that great news that He doesn't expect us to be perfect? Phew! What He does desire though is for us to have a heart centered on a life focused on Him.
The Lord sees our passion and even after faulty attempts He still says "That's my girl". We have a Father whose heart for us is LOVE.
Priscilla next challenged us by asking, "What will having a God-awareness cost you or change about you? What a challenging thought. She assured us that having that God awareness will cost us something and cause us to make decisions we would not normally make. She reminded us that we have an enemy that is just waiting to kill, steal and destroy. He wants to kill our hopes and dreams, steal our families and joy, destroy our self-esteem and heart for ministry. During our week of homework though we were reminded that our enemies' bark is worse than his bite. He's on a leash and he can't really get to us... he just makes us cower in fear.
What we need to remember though is although the anointing not only guarantees opposition, it also guarantees access to God. God knows ALL of us and He STILL wants to be our friend. Isn't that cool?! Prayer is our most potent method available to fight the enemy.
David was a great example of someone who listened to God. His example shows us that the most important think that we can have is a fresh, ongoing, intimate relationship with God and we saw that in 1 Chronicles 14. As David asked God for wisdom, the Lord gave him detailed instruction. Our God is able and He is a God of breakthroughs.
Priscilla reminded us that one way we can know we've probably heard from God is when we "hear" the most non-normal thought that can only be God. This thought led to Priscilla's next point which was that the anointing also guarantees us specific, divine direction from God.
Priscilla shared with us that the more we know God, the more clearly we are able to hear Him. Prayer is one of the ways we develop our relationship with God. She shared wise wisdom she gained from Henry Blackaby: "The more you know God, the easier to hear Him and understand when it's His voice speaking to you." We get to know His personality, His character, His speaking history by spending time in His Word. How much time are we spending getting to know God?
Priscilla's last point was that not only are the anointed guaranteed opposition, access to God, and specific, divine direction from God, but also we are guaranteed supernatural results when we obey God. When we walk in obedience to God, we can ask Him for the miraculous without fear.
Our last session with Priscilla ended with a two question challenge:
1. Does the anointing live in you?
2. If you know it lives in you, why aren't you accessing it more?
Priscilla opened this session with a cute story about working out with her girlfriend. She talked about how her friend's face while doing numerous sit-ups turned from one of contortion to sheer joy when the friend noticed the trainer standing over her watching. Priscilla asked her audience how our attitude would change if we were aware of our Trainer's presence? Good food for thought, don't you think? For her friend (as well as for us) everything changed when the trainer came near.
Priscilla pointed out to us that God isn't looking for perfect women. He's looking for passionate women. He honors our heart, not our actions. Isn't that great news that He doesn't expect us to be perfect? Phew! What He does desire though is for us to have a heart centered on a life focused on Him.
The Lord sees our passion and even after faulty attempts He still says "That's my girl". We have a Father whose heart for us is LOVE.
Priscilla next challenged us by asking, "What will having a God-awareness cost you or change about you? What a challenging thought. She assured us that having that God awareness will cost us something and cause us to make decisions we would not normally make. She reminded us that we have an enemy that is just waiting to kill, steal and destroy. He wants to kill our hopes and dreams, steal our families and joy, destroy our self-esteem and heart for ministry. During our week of homework though we were reminded that our enemies' bark is worse than his bite. He's on a leash and he can't really get to us... he just makes us cower in fear.
What we need to remember though is although the anointing not only guarantees opposition, it also guarantees access to God. God knows ALL of us and He STILL wants to be our friend. Isn't that cool?! Prayer is our most potent method available to fight the enemy.
David was a great example of someone who listened to God. His example shows us that the most important think that we can have is a fresh, ongoing, intimate relationship with God and we saw that in 1 Chronicles 14. As David asked God for wisdom, the Lord gave him detailed instruction. Our God is able and He is a God of breakthroughs.
Priscilla reminded us that one way we can know we've probably heard from God is when we "hear" the most non-normal thought that can only be God. This thought led to Priscilla's next point which was that the anointing also guarantees us specific, divine direction from God.
Priscilla shared with us that the more we know God, the more clearly we are able to hear Him. Prayer is one of the ways we develop our relationship with God. She shared wise wisdom she gained from Henry Blackaby: "The more you know God, the easier to hear Him and understand when it's His voice speaking to you." We get to know His personality, His character, His speaking history by spending time in His Word. How much time are we spending getting to know God?
Priscilla's last point was that not only are the anointed guaranteed opposition, access to God, and specific, divine direction from God, but also we are guaranteed supernatural results when we obey God. When we walk in obedience to God, we can ask Him for the miraculous without fear.
Our last session with Priscilla ended with a two question challenge:
1. Does the anointing live in you?
2. If you know it lives in you, why aren't you accessing it more?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: Session One ~ The Anointing: Established and Empowered
What a fantastic first week we had at both the Thursday Abide and Abide PM Tuesday night, as we gathered around to watch, for most of us, our introduction to the wonderful speaker Priscilla Shirer as she shared with us important principles on knowing Whose we are and who we are.
At the pinacle of David's success in 1 Chronicles 14:2, David understood that all he was and had was because God placed him in the position of King over Israel. That same power that God used to establish the earth is the same power that God used to establish David in his role as King and us in the places and position God planned for us. No one can take away what God has established.
One of the amazing things Priscilla shared with us was a long monologue of sorts, I like to call "Who's Your Daddy". If you're interested in a copy of this unbelievable list of God's attributes and accomplishments to and for us, email me at clarksonabide@gmail.com and I'll send you the word document listing these character traits of our Almighty God and "Daddy".
David was anointed for his role as King at the young age of 15. According to 1 Samuel 16:13, God wasn't concerned with his outward appearance. It was his heart that interested God! The same goes for us. God doesn't care how tall we are, if we've gained a few extra pounds, if our hair is gray or our face is wrinkled. He doesn't care if we're married, or have children. He cares about how we love Him and others. He cares about how committed we are to Him and the things He loves.
One of the awesome things about anointing is that it happens for us today, the moment we accept Christ into our hearts as our Saviour. The Holy Spirit comes in and takes up residence in us and at that moment we have ALL of the Holy Spirit and all His power, strength, glory and greatness of God within us. Doesn't that blow your mind? He is our anointing and the power within us that gets the job done for God!
Oh, there will be opposition, just like David encountered once his full anointing came into play when he became King over all of Israel. Those Philistines were ready at the bit to defeat this man because David knew that His power came from God. He made his first mission as King to bring back the Ark of God which represented God's presence. The Philistines wanted none of that. Just as God empowered David (and David sought God's presence and guidance in every aspect of this battle), He will also empower us to fight our enemy. No matter what season of life you find yourself in, God has equipped you for this time. You aren't there by chance, even though it may feel differently. God longs for us to make Him the central focal point of our lives, whether that's caring for little ones, working for a difficult boss, watching over aged parents, or just driving down life's highway with the convertible top down and the sunshine pouring over you. God longs for us to have a perpetual "God-consciousness" or "God-awareness" that will make us unstoppable against the forces of evil.
What represents God's presence to you today? What opposition are you facing as you try to keep a God-consciousness through your day? Like David, seek God's face in each aspect of your daily battle and watch Him defeat your enemies! We serve a Mighty and Awesome God!
Be blessed today my friends. Oh... and if you want to join in the fun we had at Abide this week, remembering that our appearance doesn't matter to God, take a look at this Anita Renfroe video:
At the pinacle of David's success in 1 Chronicles 14:2, David understood that all he was and had was because God placed him in the position of King over Israel. That same power that God used to establish the earth is the same power that God used to establish David in his role as King and us in the places and position God planned for us. No one can take away what God has established.
One of the amazing things Priscilla shared with us was a long monologue of sorts, I like to call "Who's Your Daddy". If you're interested in a copy of this unbelievable list of God's attributes and accomplishments to and for us, email me at clarksonabide@gmail.com and I'll send you the word document listing these character traits of our Almighty God and "Daddy".
David was anointed for his role as King at the young age of 15. According to 1 Samuel 16:13, God wasn't concerned with his outward appearance. It was his heart that interested God! The same goes for us. God doesn't care how tall we are, if we've gained a few extra pounds, if our hair is gray or our face is wrinkled. He doesn't care if we're married, or have children. He cares about how we love Him and others. He cares about how committed we are to Him and the things He loves.
One of the awesome things about anointing is that it happens for us today, the moment we accept Christ into our hearts as our Saviour. The Holy Spirit comes in and takes up residence in us and at that moment we have ALL of the Holy Spirit and all His power, strength, glory and greatness of God within us. Doesn't that blow your mind? He is our anointing and the power within us that gets the job done for God!
Oh, there will be opposition, just like David encountered once his full anointing came into play when he became King over all of Israel. Those Philistines were ready at the bit to defeat this man because David knew that His power came from God. He made his first mission as King to bring back the Ark of God which represented God's presence. The Philistines wanted none of that. Just as God empowered David (and David sought God's presence and guidance in every aspect of this battle), He will also empower us to fight our enemy. No matter what season of life you find yourself in, God has equipped you for this time. You aren't there by chance, even though it may feel differently. God longs for us to make Him the central focal point of our lives, whether that's caring for little ones, working for a difficult boss, watching over aged parents, or just driving down life's highway with the convertible top down and the sunshine pouring over you. God longs for us to have a perpetual "God-consciousness" or "God-awareness" that will make us unstoppable against the forces of evil.
What represents God's presence to you today? What opposition are you facing as you try to keep a God-consciousness through your day? Like David, seek God's face in each aspect of your daily battle and watch Him defeat your enemies! We serve a Mighty and Awesome God!
Be blessed today my friends. Oh... and if you want to join in the fun we had at Abide this week, remembering that our appearance doesn't matter to God, take a look at this Anita Renfroe video:
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Abide PM KickOff
Last night was an answered prayer realized. Not only by myself and our Abide Team, but also by our wonderful hostess, Ellen. Abide PM was "in the house"... or rather Ellen's house and it kicked off wonderfully!
There were 9 of us sitting around Ellen's spacious family room: some old friends, some new friends. We ranged in our ages and life situations but none of that mattered, especially as we got to know one another during our "Smarties" ice breaker game. (It was informative and a delicious chocolate treat!)
At the end of the evening we reviewed what the next 10 weeks entailed, and then spent time praying with and for one another.
This is going to be a great group of ladies and if you're able to join us, or need more information on joining us, contact me or one of our Abide Team at our email address ~ chartwellabide@gmail.com. We'd love to answer your questions and have you abide with us Tuesday evenings at Abide PM.
There were 9 of us sitting around Ellen's spacious family room: some old friends, some new friends. We ranged in our ages and life situations but none of that mattered, especially as we got to know one another during our "Smarties" ice breaker game. (It was informative and a delicious chocolate treat!)
At the end of the evening we reviewed what the next 10 weeks entailed, and then spent time praying with and for one another.
This is going to be a great group of ladies and if you're able to join us, or need more information on joining us, contact me or one of our Abide Team at our email address ~ chartwellabide@gmail.com. We'd love to answer your questions and have you abide with us Tuesday evenings at Abide PM.
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