Sunday, October 21, 2012

Study by Study





Too long since I have posted!  Busy time serving in church...may I tell you about this?

First, our church just celebrated its 125th Anniversary!  Yes, 125 years!  What I enjoyed most was working with church friends and getting to know them and our church history all the more.  A blessing!  We had an outstanding day with much recognition and, what I hope will be, much re-dedication.

Next...I have been learning more through several studies we have completed this fall.

  1. The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-filled Life by Ann Graham Lotz:  In this study, we were introduced to a Abraham I had never known, an Abraham who embraced the Magnificient Obsession.  I was once again reminded that time flies by much faster in the Bible when years may pass from chapter to chapter or even verse to verse.  In essence, Abraham had to wait years...and years...for his prayers and promises to be answered.
  2. The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson:  This study we just completed last weekend...what a powerful prayer, still so applicable to today's world. I have asked the Lord to bless me, to enlarge my territory, to keep his hand with me, to keep me from evil so that I will not cause pain.

    And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what he requested.   I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV
    Image of Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break (Study)As I have prayed this prayer, I have noticed a few differences already with my life:  I add to "enlarge my territory" for You.  This prayer is not about me; this prayer is about all those I come in contact with.  Also, I am learning that if I say less, I will cause less pain.  The tongue is such a sharpened sword.  This knowledge, coincidentally, parallels what I am learning about my One Word quiet.  So interesting how God ties all these spiritual emphases!
  3. Beth Moore Simulcast in September:  I spent the day with about 100 Christian women at a nearby church singing, praying, studying, listening, learning about the widow and the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4.  I was so blessed to attend, so very, very blessed.  This is why fellowship is so important.  I have friends and family who believe they do not have to attend church to be good Christian.  Fellowship is partially why we should not forsake to assemble ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:25)
  4. Nehemiah:  A Heart That Can Break by Kelly Minter (still have two lessons in this study...hope to complete tomorrow).  This study was hosted by Beth Moore....loved it!  Learned so much.  My favorite verse?  Nehemiah would not allow others to distract him from God's mission:  "I am doing a great work, and I will not come down."  When God sends us on a mission, we are to stay focused, devoted to His cause.
True Woman 101: Divine Design: An Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood
Up Next:
  1. True Woman 101's Divine Design:  An Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood - Hosted by Women's Cafe, they are advancing a bit faster that I!  I should be on week three...I am on week one.  More about this one later!
  2. Unconditional (a movie-based study):  This will be our next four-week study for Discipleship Training.  One evening last week, I spent about two hours searching for a study that would coincide with the Thanksgiving season.  About to give up, I found this one when the word generosity caught my eye.  Based on a book and a movie released this fall (which I hope our church will watch upon completion of the study), the study focuses on several characters and the problems that each face, culminating in a project that the groups chooses.  I am very excited about this; I look forward to seeing what good works come out of this one!
  3. Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren:  I am also excited and in anticipation of this year's three-week Christmas study.  This study focuses on Christmas as a time of celebration, salvation, and reconciliation.  Please, expect my sharing of the grand outcomes of this study.
I am discovering ever more that the more time I spend in His Word the more I want to remain there.  I am so blessed to live in this grand nation and be afforded the many opportunities and the freedom to engage in such studies as those listed here in this post.

Please share!  What do you do to stay close to our Heavenly Father?  What is a favorite Bible study of yours?

My prayer for you:  As this year comes to a close and we celebrate some very meaningful holidays, may you find the true meaning of these seasons and may you be even more blessed.