Welcome to the first posting for the Beth Moore Believing God online bible study. We are so glad you are here.
Coffee and tea are over in the corner and if Linda remembered to bring snacks, they will be over there,too, next to the childcare donation basket.
Let's begin by singing to the Lord together....
"This is the air I breathe......"
Wow. Didn't that sound exactly like every women's' bible study you have ever been a part of?
Well, don't get too excited because we're not gonna be able to follow that format. At all.
For one, I can't sing. Not even a little bit. Especially not when I'm wearing these old sweats and ratty slippers.
But, I'll tell you what:
Grab your coffee anyway and lets talk to each other about what we learned from "Believing God" this week. Let's have some CHURCH!
I'll go first. Because I'm competitive and over-eager like that.
First off, this is a lot of work! Every day!
But can I just say how G.O.O.D. that is for me at this particular time this summer?
The Greek stuff? Well, much of it is still Greek to me. But I like that Beth seems to think I can understand it anyway. Makes me feel smart, somehow.
The blue cord? It is on my right wrist and reminding me daily not to follow my own heart, but to follow the Lord and His commandments.
The bedtime meditations? I do love this theory. Going to sleep thinking on, meditating on what God has been doing in my life that day. In truth, it is usually about some form of reality television. I will need to wrestle with this one.
When I first read through the five statements of faith :
1. God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ. (who strengthens me.)
5. God's word is alive and active in me.
I kind of skimmed them, nodding my head internally and agreeing wholeheartedly with each statement.
Then I read them again. I think I believe one and two without reservation but I had to slow down and carefully consider # three.
Whoops.
I looked up scripture that tells me who God says I am and realised that I don't live my life like that. Victoriously. Like God loves me, every minute or every day. Like I am God's handiwork. Like I am an heir of God, since I am a daughter of God. And I could go on and on.
I am seeing one area where I need to believe in God with all my heart.
How about you?
What statements struck you this week? What scripture whispered in your ear and stayed in your heart? What truths are you coming away with?
Please leave a note here and feel more than free to add your blog address if you want to post about the bible study at your blog. We'd love to have you do either or both.
13 comments:
What I am wrestling with is this: I totally believe #2, but believing he "can" is different than believing he "will." This is tricky for me because I was raised to pray all things in his will, and then there came a time when that kind of prayer was implicated to be "wimpy." If you didn't go boldly before the throne and ask specific petitions and believe for exactly what you asked for, the prayer was ineffecient, faithless. What I have resolved to do is pray for God to move in certain situations, and if the action doesn't appear to be what I requested of Him, then just trust in his character, which is flawless and never disengaged. --I have repeated the 5 principles many times this week, and yeah, I'm sporting a blue band! This week I learned that there is a lot at stake for not actively believing God and that there are many reasons to do so. I also absorbed the concept that the word "continually" in front of "believing" is truer to the intent of the scripture than the word alone. Anyway, we've tackled the first week!
In reference to the above comment: Seriously, Linda, that has been my issue too: I know He CAN, but WILL He??
Because I don't "feel" like I deserve for Him to move, most of the time. But it's not about "feeling" like I "deserve" it; because I don't!
But HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS!!
And I AM WHO HE SAYS I AM! (because of the Blood, not me)
And if that's true, then what am I so worried about? He will take care, and provide, and do what's in the best interest of HIM. Which is also what's in the best interest of ME. And YOU. Wow.
Linda: Do you mean you were raised to believe that He would answer every prayer the way you wanted if you asked Him? Maybe I misunderstand...?
Chel: You articulated my concerns and worries perfectly. THIS is why I believe we're in this study together!
Hello Ladies,
I am really enjoying this. I thought I believed the five things until I tried to step up my sanctification in an area that has been impossible in the past for me to gain victory over. But now that I'm armed with five faith encouraging tools, I can approach it differently and victoriously!
I grew up in churches that preached if you pray and have "faith" and God doesn't come through than you didn't have faith. NOT TRUE! I've now learned to have faith in GOD not in the outcome. That has been paramount for me. I hope it helps Linda.
Ah yes, I remember those 5 wonderful statements. I did this study several years ago and struggled through it. I am such a rebellious student that I had a tendency to wait until the morning of the study to "catch up"... and I was the leader!!!
I didn't have a problem with 1 & 2 at all. My problem with 3... I KNOW I am who God says I am, but I didn't feel like I was acting that way - and I sure couldn't see me being that... #4, I thought Yeah, yeah, BUT, again I wasn't acting like I believed it and well, after all that #5 just flew out the window b/c I sure didn't act like God's Word was alive and active in.
Needless to say, I sure need(ed) this study... Thanks for reminding me!
I was really hit with Isaiah 64:6. Take for example: tithing. ( Not a personal struggle for me...is that cheating?...giving examples that are not personal?....I guess transparency will come later....maybe if the snacks were better..Linda, work on that will you and Diane, the coffee was fabulous as usual, at least what I could keep down after you broke into song/screech LOL) Seriously though, I have always learned and taught that it is better to do a righteous/obedient act with a not so great attitude than not do the act at all. I kind of thought that it still "counted" and the heart attitude would follow. Ooops! I have been perpetuating the "filthy rags" problem. I am going to ponder how I can reteach the belief to myself/children. My main thing this week is to BE #5. That and work on the Midnight Meditation....so hard to meditate that late with my eyes that closed.
Hi Ladies - Thanks for inviting me Diane. I don't have the study but thought I would sit in if you don't mind.
I used to struggle with #2 in the same way you have mentioned... I know you CAN but WILL you? I have also learned, like truth4thejourney, that I need to trust-in/focus-on Him and not the outcome. I don't always succeed but at least I know.
#3 is the toughest for me. I think it is for a lot of women because it hits home, it's personal. It's the achilles heel and the enemy knows it. When I am being attacked in this area I can literally feel the spiritual punches. It debilitates and renders me ineffective for kingdom work. Even though I know the lies, I am weakend by the force. That's why I'm so thankful for other Christian's. Yesterday I posted about such an attack and lots of dear sisters were there to pray, encourage, and help strengthen me in Christ.
Oh ... thanks for the coffee! It was delicious! ;)
Like others have mentioned, point #2 in the most difficult for me. I know He can do what He says, but will He is what trips me up. Or will He do what I think He should do in a situation. It's a control issue for me. And His timing is not my timing. The trick is believing that He can and will work all things together for good as promised in Romans 8:28. I recently shared with my prayer group that sometimes I have to say those 5 points out loud to myself in my car when things seem like they're getting a little too crazy for me. The verbal reminder really helps me keep things in perspective.
Linda, Bren, Edie, Sonja, Merrie and Chel, it was good hearing from all of you about what you got from doing this study each day. It somehow validates how I am feeling, and also opens my eyes to a different point of view as well. This was so fun for me! I'll see you all next Thursday at Linda's. (2nd Cup of Coffee)I'll bring the snacks, Linda. :-)
Hi Diane, wanted you and the girls to know that I had an update from the Lord on yesterday's lessons we were talking about. I posted it just a bit ago...
Love, Chel
I am who God says I am is by far the most difficult thing for me to REALLY believe. For too long, I've believed I'm who other people say I am. Especially if it is slightly negative.
I'm de-lurking. I haven't kept in touch a lot Linda, but I'm still around. I'm not going to be able to commit to doing the study right now, but I would love to read and comment as I have time. I love to read other's insightfulness to God's Word.
Purposefully seeking and being intentional in thinking about and acting upon this question. "Do I truly believe that I am who God says I am?"
You've challenged me...and it's good. Thank you!
Blessings!
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