Hey, You Darlin’ Things! It’s that time again: our Tuesday for Siesta Summer Bible Study and this is Gathering #4! Please take a few minutes to watch my greeting to you via another very professional, highly technical taping (I know LifeWay must be getting nervous). There is much more on the video than what I’m writing here but, as we’ve done before, I just want to make sure you have your discussion questions in print. Please also note that we have yet another contest. You’ll find out far more about it on the video greeting but I thought it might help to have the eligibility requirements here. You’ll find them at the bottom of this post. The prizes are things you simply do not want to miss. Hint: they may be things you cannot live without…but I can.
I love you guys like crazy and I love loving Jesus with you. Hang in there, stay in the Word, and let’s finish strong!!! Here goes:
Three Discussion Questions:
From Week Five:
1. Take a look at the bottom of p.103, starting with the question, “What word in Numbers 11:4 (NIV) is used to describe their desire for meat?” Discuss a number of specific ways craving something is different from wanting it. While you’re at it, continue a discussion Melissa and I started on a walk a few nights ago. We were talking about how you can tell you’re getting out of control with something when you start trying to be secretive about it. What do you think?
2. Take a look at the top of p.108 under “Personal Reflection.” I loved this line of discussion starting with this question: “Have you ever tasted or brought back fruit from a future promise that had not been fully realized?” Discuss that whole first paragraph.
From Week Six:
3. Turn to p.125 and reread (one of you aloud to the group) the excerpt Kelly included by Charles Spurgeon. What are a few things we often try to do rather than refer our doubts straight to God? Then, read John 2:1-5 and note how Mary approached the pressing problem. As you conclude today’s gathering, have a brief time of prayer, letting those that feel comfortable praying out loud simply state their need or problem to God in one statement, something like this: “Lord, there is no more _____________________.” Or, “Lord, I am ____________________________.” Then simply tell Him that you’re trusting Him to do something about it. Try to resist fretting over it this week but keep watching for Him to turn some water into wine.
I pray for Christ to show up in such a profound Presence in your gathering this week that nobody can miss Him!
NOW, about that contest:
THE INCOMPARABLE PRIZES: In keeping with our kitchen theme (please see video), the prize will be a compilation of several kitchen gadgets or serving dishes out of my own kitchen that I have never used, several of which are still in the box. Can you resist these kinds of prizes? I don’t think so.
ELIGIBILITY:
*A group of five or more Siestas who meet face-to-face on our Tuesdays. (We LOVE our groups meeting on-line and totally dig our solo siestas but I needed a way to narrow down the contest.)
*Perfect attendance at all four gatherings. In other words, every woman who met the first time in your group has come for all four gatherings. Way to go!
HOW TO WIN: Be the first group to sign in AFTER your gathering to say that you’ve had perfect attendance. Please identify your group to us (city/location) then watch for us to confirm the winning group in the COMMENT section. We’ll also tell you how to contact us with an address to receive your prizes. Please make sure you tell us how many are in your group because I will GLADLY send something out of my kitchen for each of you. The times on the comments are recorded so the first one will automatically win.
Whew! This contest is so great that I wish I could enter it myself! But I’m afraid I’d have to win it all back.
P.S. Thank you for remembering that your comments are meant to follow your gatherings! You’re the best!
Tags: Videos
My past, that’s it, that’s the idol that the Holy Spirit has been preparing my heart to hear for the last four weeks. My past, what it meant for good and bad, mostly for good which is why it can easily become an idol. It pleases me and it’s oh so comforting to slip back in to the memories of my past. I was looking for life out of it. Not any more – I want the awesome power of my God! It’s been baby steps all along – T.V., fear, people, and now my past. I poured this all out to my friend Ashley tonight calling it the delivery of the “motherload!” She listened attentatively, then delivered her very own “motherload.” Her issue was…the future! What a sweet and soveriegn Lord we have to bring together two ladies whose issues are the past…and the future! My siestas, we have grace for TODAY! Praise Him! Just smile at His thoughts that are so much greater than ours. Really, smile!
I have read John 2:1-5 many times. But this time I saw something I’d never seen before. I am always in such a hurry I never noticed the last part.
The most profound thing for me was….
John 2:5 “His mother said to the servants,’Whatever He says to you, do it!'”
I have no trouble being short and sweet with my requests to God. What I have trouble with is taking the time to listen for what He says and then doing it. I’m usually off and running doing my own thing before He speaks.
The “do it” I seem to have the most trouble with is…
“Be still and know that I am God!”
I’ll be as still as I can while I’m asking Him to help me be still…
Tammy in Montana
When I read Wives of Warriors…i was hoping they would be the winners!
I am one of the solos, and this study has helped me to put to rest some of the things in my life that have been driving me nuts..
I wanted to do this study with my Mom and daughters, but I didn’t feel like i could have done it..so I didn’t even try.. I do hope after I get done that I can share with them what I have learned, but I just didn’t know how to go about teaching. Sarah’s comments really struck home with me also… as did a lot of what other Siesta’s said also. There are a lot of strongholds that I really just do not know how to tear down.. and it seems like every time i make a little progress the enemy attacks again, and i feel like I have lost ground..
Your videos and posts help make things seem more tolerable.. you are a hoot and thank you for all you do for your siesta’s!
Delilah
when i first read your second question about the fruit, i thought well i have never had that happen. But later after i thought about it i remembered something that my mom shared with me about 5 years ago. My son Ryan was 5 years old at the time. He was very tired so i took him to the doctor. never imagining that there was any wrong. well after a few test we were told that he has Duchenes Muscular Dystrophy, that it was a degenerative disease, and that there was no treatment or cure. To say the least it was devastating to us. A few days after his diagnosis my mom called us to share with us a verse that God had brought to her while she was praying for Ryan. It was in Mark 2 when Jesus heals the paralyzed man. I thought at that time wow, Jesus is going to heal Ryan. Well 5 years later, we are watching our son slowly get weaker and weaker. Its hard not to get discouraged. I have had my doubts to say the least, but have tryed to hold onto faith as well that God can heal him. I wonder, maybe God giving that verse to my mom at that time was a fruit for a future promise that is yet to come? I never thought of it like that before!
I didn't get to do the study with y'all, but I "randomly" checked the site today and this is so cool because as always, y'all adressed 2 of the issues that I'm thinking over right now. 🙂
♥~Andreea
P.S. Ms. Beth…that was so cute about the baby's being the same size as a fig. I have never liked figs…until I heard you make that comparison…too cute! 🙂
Glimpses of fruit: When I pray for someone’s salvation, or for a need they have (or even I have), sometimes God gives me glimpses of fruit. I see things happening which I call little miracles, and I know God is at work. Sometimes the harvest is a long way off, in fact we may never even see it, but I believe He gives us glimpses so we can say, ‘OK I see now what You are doing.’ When an unbelieving friend says to me ‘You must have prayed about this for me!’-that’s a glimpse of fruit.
Another thing I have noticed is that we can’t *always* share these treasures with other people. They don’t get it! Maybe they were not meant to.
Maybe what it’s all about is us getting it, praising Him for it, and letting Him know that we know He is our God who is coming through for us in His time.
I would encourage all the dear Siestas to look for those tiny miracles. Things you just know God is doing or has done, which give that glimpse into future results and blessings. I’ll bet He delights in it when we notice!
And, don’t be afraid to let others know when you see these things happening in their lives or for their lives. It’s a great witnessing tool.
Siesta Beth,
Great bible time together. God is teaching us so much through this study. We met in a cozy cabin in Vermont. Even though we did not use the recipes, on of the ladies made us fruit pizza. We also had fresh picked raspberries with homemade biscuits and granola. The food was good but the fellowship and prayer time was great.
You are too funny with the kitchen thing. It does not get so hot up here too often and when it does we go out to eat or barbecue outside.
I like the tip of using your hot mitt for padding on your bike. I biked last night and was thinking I sure could use my hot mitt right about now. LOL!!
Thanks Beth, We love you to pieces.
New Hampshire and Vermont ladies.
My entire group had to cancel last night, no perfect attendance for us…except for me because I host the group in my home and I was here.
The material we were to discuss is so rich in content, very convicting. We have rescheduled and will meet the next 2 weeks in a row.
I love the helpful hints, I felt so free from the kitchen, I think I can donate almost everything in it to Helping Hands…
Beth,
I was wondering if there was anyway to to see the simulcast on the internet. There is no one is my area doing it this year. We’ve always had a church participating in the past.
Since there wasn’t a church hosting I am working Saturday but hoping to possibly catch it “delayed” if it will be recorded.
P.S. I have not received my Siesta Registration yet.
We had 12 ladies in attendance last night, a drop from our usual 16 but we had a great night. We had one lady going through a particularly hard time and the promise that she held on to (Question 2) is that God will never put more on you than you can bear. Several of us (including myself) we struggling with simply believing that God loves us just as we are. This has been a great study and we thank you so much for the opportunity. We finished in a circle in intense prayer for our sister who is struggling and pray that you’ll remember her as well.
Cassandra
Mars Hill, NC
Worship Warrior Sarah, I loved your comment about the spinach and chocolate. What is it that makes me think I need that idol more than I need God?
I was asking the Lord about this just this morning. What is the deficiency?
To the lady who is struggling with the potty training issue, you are probably trying too hard. My suggestion would be to stop urging him. He may not be ready or it may be a control issue for him. Perhaps at well chosen times you could casually mention certain things he will be able to do when he is a big boy…without even mentioning the potty.
I remember those days. It seems like a big issue now but not in the larger picture.
Love you Beth, and all you siestas!
Jan in NC
After meeting with my Mom on the phone for a discussion and answering the questions I was left with this…
The fruit part is a little frustrating for me, I have tasted- but I know there is more. Doors not opening, and change of plans have caused me to surrender more. I feel I’ve been asked to do things that I didn’t expect, My hope is there but there are some missing pieces to the puzzle.
Then, the last declaration, the one with the take on, declare your doubt or situation to God and then be quiet. That was powerful. I almost ended in tears and I didn’t even say but 6 words. That was really really good. I felt like that was all I needed to do. It wasn’t hard but almost freeing.
Blessings and Thank you,
Tabby
Another great meeting in Alabama last night. God brought together our group of folks who are members of the same large church, but didn’t really know each other. The discovery of idols has been excellent and the fellowship has been sweet!
Hey Mama,
Our group has met every week since the beginning. I’m doing it with the ladies in my family. It’s been a wonderful experiment. In any family, there are usually issues. We’re no different. But we face each other every week, eat together, and study for a total of 3 hours. Our issues still exist, but somehow, studying and praying together is softening some of the edges. Some who didn’t know how they could make it together in the same room and wishing it wouldn’t end. Thanks for suggesting such an idea. Praise God!
PS- Hope to see your simulcast.
Beth – I just love contests…I have had perfect attendance in my group…there are 9 of us that meet in Wolfeboro, NH and we rotate houses.
This summer bible study has been so important to us and being able to stay connected with each other and in the word has made all the difference. Thank you for spurring us on!
We had 3 (Connie, Lisa and Pam) of 6 meeting together this week…our other 3 are at the beach which makes it doubly hard to love them since we would have had perfect attendance and a chance at those fabulous kitchen items AND they are at the beach for cryin’ out loud!! 🙂
I am thrilled to say that none of our group have dropped out and we are loving staying in the Word together this summer.
1) We decided that craving is different from a want because a craving has control, makes us obsess, consumes us and is not easily substituted for. A want you can talk yourself out of more easily if perhaps it’s not the best thing for you.
We definitely agree that usually the crave has a secretive component to it. We thought of many ways that could come into play I will share one.
One of our husbands chose to spend frivously and would not wait a month so the item he wished to purchase could be budgeted for. So when the member of our group would purchase something for herself (even if it was a needed item) she would hide the purchase from him so she would not have to have the confrontation with her husband. (Avoidance is one of her “gods”.)
2) This one was more difficult. I could think of one example of having a glimpse of what my marriage could be if some factors beyond my control were changed. I fully believe that because God gave me that glimpse I have continued to stay with my husband. However those factors are still in place and even though are marriage is better now…it’s not as good as the glimpse yet. Which led me to consider that perhaps I’m still in the period leading up to the harvest.
3) The 3rd one we enjoyed discussing what it would have been like to be there to witness this encounter between Mary and Jesus.
And we totally agree that a lot of times we just need to express it to him with out our prescription for fixing it. Which led us to say that sometimes we may miss His answer to the situation when we have tunnel vision looking for our own fix to the situation.
Thanks Beth for all you do to encourage us! I’m so looking forward to seeing you on Friday in Louisville, KY!!!
Pam
Radford, VA
Somewhere along the bike path this morning I lost my oven mitt!
Hey Bethie… I have a bit of a testimony to share – I want it to be short, but it is not. I hope you will stay with me. You are a big part of this but truthfully it is the God – Christ and His Holy Spirit – in you that drew this out in me.
One of the Lifeway forum gals posted a statement about how we all have said… “Oh, I wish I was…” Thanks EmmaB2002 for making that statment.
Here is what followed for me this morning.
Just wanted to chime in on the “Gee, I wish I was more like Beth Moore” Bit…
I used to say, “I could never do that like Beth Moore…” (Anyone else out there slapping their forehead for me and saying, duh? You’re supposed to do it the way God has planned for you.) So, though I knew I would never memorize a whole chapter of the Bible or be able to figure out how so many passages of Scripture go with one topic or where to find them for that matter, or… ever be (listen carefully here, because this one will ring the bell) write and teach my own Bible studies… I literally used to pray, God make me just 1/2 the godly woman and teacher that Beth Moore is and I will be satisfied.
Can I just say that one day I was reading over at her LPM website and they shared a list of her resources. I bought almost all of them – the Key Word Study Bible, A Four-Translation Parallel Study Bible (I am here to tell you that I own TWO of these monsters) and then I purchased a Thompson Chain Reference and a Scofield Study Bible (both in NKJV – though I don’t know why) — Lifeway was loving me in this phase. I later learned that AMG the Key Word people published a couple of Bibles (1 OT and 1 NT) called the Complete Word Study Old and New (respectively) Teataments. These Bible have Strong’s and Lexical Aids in the Back just like the Key Word, but they are not just for Key Words, they are for just about every original word.
I began to study, study, study. One day with the chain reference – the light came on. I had never used a cross reference before – but the cross reference in the Thompson was a little easier to get. So I started using it – I remember telling my friend, “Oh, so that is how Beth Moore knows what Scriptures go with a topic.” Okay, that and a lot, a lot of Bible reading I’m sure.
Suffice it to say that the Amplified’s way of putting their cross references at the end of the verse also did wonders for my study.
I also had occasion to begin writing individual lessons and teaching from my own personal study and observations through His Word. These opportunities were few and far between, but so rewarding – I seek them out now. As a matter of fact I can hardly believe I’m about to start teaching my own twelve weeks of curriculum for the bereaved mothers group in September, but it is indeed true.
This past Spring I did the final… “I never…” I memorized a chapter of Psalms this past Spring. Eleven verses I sought to pray over a group of people I knew. Psalm 46… I memorized the whole thing in less than 12 hours. It blew my mind.
For a long time, Beth Moore was an idol to me. An Idol that really kept me from pursuing the things God had for me, not for me through Beth Moore. In 2006, my ladies and I were scheduled to see Beth Moore at LPL in OKC.
We had just moved. I was in deep despair over losing Justin [my oldest son who died the fall before]. To top it off I got sick the week of the trip. I sent my ladies off with specific instructions – get there at 5:30 PM, and don’t be late. Don’t settle for upper seats sit on the floor and have a wonderful time!
On Friday afternoon I got a joyous, almost hysterical, phone call from my friend. She said, “You’ll never guess who we just met…”
She was out of breath excited.
I chuckled, “Who?”
“Beth Moore.” Raucous laughter and more excitement went a buzzing all around her. “We were at the reflection pool at the Murrow Building when we saw her. We approached her and talked to her and had our picture made with her.”
They sat on the floor and had a fabulous time. I was so happy for them – but for a moment with that first report I was very, very disappointed.
A few weeks later, after they returned and shared all their pictures and stories of her I smiled and said to myself, “I would have missed the point of the conference being star struck with meeting her.”
I went to Bossier City LPL the following March and sat a few chairs from Beth during worship. It was good to see her authentic, real and so personal. I didn’t meet her – had no personal interaction with her whatever… but that day she became less of an idol and more of a friend to me than I can explain. A distant, penpal kind of friend – but a friend just the same.
Then a few months later we would begin our Gateway Journey and I would lay down Beth Moore studies for a while. I sat under a group leader at church this Spring and heard her teach her own curriculum. JOYful…
I also saw Lisa Bevere speak at our Women’s conference in September ’07. Something inside of me resonated with her when she spoke. I could sense God showing me a bit of myself through her.
He said, “You will never be Beth Moore or Lisa Bevere, but that Spirit – the teacher in Beth Moore and the Exhorter that Lisa Bevere is… they are on you. You don’t have to think – ‘I will never…’ Because sweetie, you already are and all you have to do is walk in it.”
Now, I know and I’m telling you up front – God does not speak audibly – but it was one of those moments where you can just feel, sense, taste and hear it though there are really no words for it. I have had words of confirmation and encouragement spoken over me many times – though I still go, “Who me… never…” at times, I know truthfully this is a part of the destiny of God unfolding in my life and it is one wild and serious ride. I’m in love, in awe and so anxious to be completely His, I don’t know how to do it any other way but raw and real and walking it out day by day. My own Quiet Time and readings of His Word carry more meaning for me these days than the mountains of study I haved done. They paved the way, but the personal revelation of God through His Word is amazing and well, it hits me in the heart. I seek balance, not all one teacher, not all the same source… but I am a student of Many Teachers (as Beth always admonishes us) and One Christ – the Christ of the Gospels, who showed up huge in the Old Testament and who is waiting for us in a blazing white robe, dipped in blood, and with eyes all aflame — and finally I can say that I’m laying it down for Him – to be completely His no division no part… but all of me for all of Him – its the only way to live. I love Him so…
Beth~
You always make me laugh SOOOO hard…and I love it!! And some of my siestas comments are making me laugh outloud, too! Amy Storms comments about putting dirty dishes in the dryer and using the dishwasher as a file cabinet…hysterical!!! I have to tell y’all that I’m THRILLED to hear that there are other women out there who just don’t like to cook and are probably just average cooks. I’m single and sometimes worry that if I ever get married, I may not be Nancy Homemaker for my husband. Now I’m seeing what a crazy thing to worry about!
I haven’t gotten to all the discussion questions (doing it solo) so I will have to get back to you on that. Just wanted to comment that I love you Beth and all of you siestas and you do my heart good!!!!! And you’re in my prayers, too. 🙂
Much love,
Missy in SC
Thank you Cheri for sharing your heart about experiencing God and drawing a blank on some questions. It so spoke to me. I had told my group last night that I sometimes felt that very same way. Thank you for so clearly stating your thoughts. I hear you and understand and needed your encouragement. I sometimes feel like the prodical son’s brother.
Loved the study (again). Thank you Beth of leading us in some great discussion. We sit with the laptop on the coffee table, watch your video and then feel as if you are right there in our group. Too bad that only makes four total – I love kitchen gadgets. Melissa and I would have a blast together in a Williams and Sonoma store and trading recipes. (The Swiss Chocolate Cake was delicious!! Thanks Melissa)
Pat S.
Austin, Texas
I absolutely love the kitchen helps!! The one thing I struggle with most especially in the summer is “cooking in the heat”. So, now with these hints….problem solved!!
We are so bummed that we cannot be in the contest. We have not had perfect attendance…boo hoo!! 🙂
However, this Bible Study has certainly convicted many of us of our gods! Whether they be functional or people. How do these little mice creep into our lives and sometimes become roaring lions??? You think you are doing such a good job of being a “Christian”. Oh, duh, maybe that is the issue, “YOU” think “YOU” are doing a good job….thought that was God’s part. Ooppss!!
We discussed the questions with the siesta’s that attended. Good discussion on the craving vs wanting. The personal reflection took awhile to get going…but we were all suprised how we had been on the receiving end of the fruit from a future promise. #3 had been answered by most of us during the course of this study. We have been sharing all along how God has opened our eyes to issues we needed to turn over to Him. We all agreed however that sometimes we hung onto the corner of the envelope after we put it in the mailbox. So we released our envelopes again.
We look forward to our last two weeks of study and agreed this had been an excellent study for the summer. So timely. All things in due season right???
Blessings to all of you Siesta’s from the Siesta’s in No MI.
Bible Bunny in TC
My group fizzled out. I have such a hard time getting my friends to stick out a Bible study with me. Any suggestions?
I loved this week’s study and video. I was worried that I just wasn’t getting it until this week. I have a few things I need to get rid of and I earnestly prayed for God’s help while finishing up last night. I have faith that He can deliver me, but I worry about having the courage to get rid of these things that have been a part of me for so long. Thank you so much for doing this study!! I am committed to finishing up solo! The blog keeps me going.
I am late checking in with our group. This was a stressful week for our group. We have 1 in New York on vacation(she injured her knee), 1 who was dealing with issues with a child and couldn’t make the discussion and we had Kim, from Georgia join us because her friend couldn’t make it. So, we have 2 in east Tennessee, 2 in Middle Tennessee and 1 in Georgia and I can’t think of a name to call us. LOL Scattered Siestas but somehow that implies other things. 🙂
We had a great discussion last night. I will share one thing because we were on the phone for hours. We talked about Abraham and Isaac. We always talk about Abraham and his great faith and trust in God to provide another sacrifice for Isaac but last night we talked about Isaac who was 13 or older at this point and we may be wrong and correct us if we are, but we don’t read that Isaac put up a fight with his father when Abraham was tying him up. Isaac stood there with complete trust in his father as he was tying him up to be sacrificed. Just as Jesus trusted his Father as he came to die on a cross for our sins.
We talked about us, the times God has asked us to do something or go somewhere, move to another place etc… we are usually filled with fear and at certain times have not trusted God and gone our own ways. We didn’t like God’s plans. I am sure Isaac didn’t want to be in the place he was in and had thoughts of running away from Abraham but he didn’t and God provided another way. Oh that we would stay and not run from what God calls us to do.
One more thing, we were praying and are believing for some water into wine miracles this week. Kim and I have seen water into wine miracles last week and we praise him and we are still in awe of what God has done for us but we can’t wait to see more.
We are believing God to take away the fear and unbelief and to reveal to us the calling on our lives,this is where the fear and unbelief would come into the equation. Trust that God will equip us for what he is calling us to do. BIG water into wine miracles!! One thing spoken into our spirit, just ask, be extravagant in your asking and for that matter believing!!
Sorry this is so long.
Have a great day siestas!!
Love,
Patty, Kim, Georgia, Cecelia and Tabitha. (Scattered but Connected.)
I think I need to clarify something we discussed on Lifeway (Michelle’s post 8:57) because it factors in to what I personally got out of this lesson.
On page 125 Minter talks about how we tend to spend 90 percent of our time on problems and only 10 on God.
I feel that Beth gives us something to emulate in that she has a very real, and personal relationship with God.
We can study till we are blue, and load up on books and Bible translations, and in light of Minter’s thoughts even self help books. But what we need is that time with God in His presence, just being with Him. Not necessarily just doing our lessons or homework.
Making idols out of our favorite teachers is not good, but hopefully they’re showing us what a real relationship with Him looks like and encouraging us to have one too!
We had another amazing night last night. Who knew some food, a few women and a few hours could add up to such an experience of God! The atmosphere of openness and sharing is wonderful and freeing.
Our ladies, 5 of us for last night (2 were home sick) really got into the discussion of “craving”. We felt that craving was “wanting multiplied by 2” – a willingness to sin to get it. The object became a “need” to us; not a want. And the secretive part? We felt that was dead-on. It made each of us really look at the things we’d like to keep private. Is it privacy or an idol being formed?
For question 2, one of our ladies shared a sweet story on her oldest son and some of the struggles he has had with school and how God has given her a glimpse of his future success. Our God is truly amazing.
And for the third question, each of us had time to ponder what we needed of God and what we needed to lay aside. This lead to a sweet time of fellowship and then on to prayer. The presense of God was all around us last night.
Thank you Beth for this bible study. It has already made changes to each of us; we’ve gain some ground back from satan and we’re pressing on!
Love ya’
Siesta Momma, our group met last night and had a great study/discussion time. But when we got to the prayer time…God showed up in a biiiigggggggg way. One of our girls is going through a really bad valley and we gathered around her and prayed for her.
Loving the study (well, if you like being convicted…which is in the end so freeing!!)
Betty
Lexington NC
hello Siesta Mama Beth, Nicole from South Carolina and Maria Cristina from England checking in for this week’s Gathering! thank you for the time you continue to dedicate to your siestas!!! Here are the answers to your questions!
nicole and mc 🙂
From Week Five:
1. Take a look at the bottom of p.103 starting with the question, “What word in Numbers 11:4 (NIV) is used to describe their desire for meat?†Discuss a number of specific ways craving something is different from wanting it. [..] What do you think?
MARIA: The term “craving” to me implies a certain degree of an out of control motion or action. It changes how we can view a person, thing or comodity from an accessory to a self-appointed necessity. I believe that God, through the Holy Spirit, hass equipped us with a sort of alarm bell system that alerts us of the danger of a potential craving. Intrinsic to this is our yielding to either the Holy Spirit’s warning , thereby we surrender this potential threat, or we CHOOSE to yield to this craving instead. It is at that moment that the “switch” happens – for this thing, person or commodity to turn from something we enjoy to a crave we have to now keep secret, because deep down we know it is a craving that isn’t abiding those warning alarm bells, it’s quashing them.
NICOLE: This is simple for me. A want is something you would like to have and desire but a craving i something you are alomost to the point and sometimes are of not being able to control the want. A want you can control, a craving you cannot. Also, I will agree with the being secrettive as being a red flag signaling you are in a dangerous position where the enemy is getting his sights dialed in on his target and the thing you had better do is to move!! He hasn’t completely dialed in yet, but he is getting very close to hitting the mark. I also believe that if I cannot quit thinking about something and engage in other activities or thoughts then I am being dialed in on and I better start moving or I am a sitting duck. But all of that comes from experience and lessons learned. After enough times of getting “hit” you learn to recognize the signs and you learn what happens if you don’t do something about it.
2. Take a look at the top of p.108 under “Personal Reflection.†I loved this line of discussion starting with this question: “Have you ever tasted or brought back fruit from a future promise that had not been fully realized?†Discuss that whole first paragraph.
Maria: after half of a lifetime of living in darkness and utter turmoil, God has showed not only His infinite mercy by instilling in me that all was not lost, and that I was still worthy to be saved, but also gave me an awesome foretaste of His promise of everlasting joy and, particularly in my case, PEACE, at the moment in which I chose to embrace Jesus as my Lord and Savior!
Nicole: God has given me many tastes of the future and they were like the oil running down Aaron’s beard. The greatest of them being complete freedom. But it was always just enough to give me another boost of strength to go forward and for that I am grateful, and you can believe that it only took a short amount of time before the “giants” began to take their formation and gather their army around me on every side. There is a book called “the Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson that describes this perfectly and one of the greatest books I have ever read. God will always be faithful to bring His promises to pass if we do not give up on Him. The Word says that He is faithful to complete the good work that He has begun in us. May we all have the bull dog tenacity to take hold of that truth and push through every wall and scale every mountain not settling for just a “taste” of the fruits He has for us but actually laying hold of that prize as our inheritance promises.
From Week Six:
3. Turn to p.125 and reread (one of you aloud to the group) the excerpt Kelly included by Charles Spurgeon. What are a few things we often try to do rather than refer our doubts straight to God? Then, read John 2:1-5 and note how Mary approached the pressing problem. [..]
Maria: in my case, a doubt that rears its ugly head in my relatively new life as a Christian is a sort of inability to fully surrender to God’s infinite Love insomuch as to this day I find myself “doubtful” to whether He can really forgive all the errors of my past. Don’t get me wrong, I do not for a moment doubt His ABILITY to forgive ; I still myself in dout that He is actually WILLING to forgive me because I am somehow still battling with these lies that sneak into my head!!
Nicole: Okay, first of all your answer bothered me but we will talk about that in a moment. For the answer to this I will use the most recent dilema, my mother. We have come to blows again and my heart can barely take it anymore. There is no more wisdom and there is no answer from my own mind and trying. I struggle between pulling the switch on this relationship altogether because I know that it is toxic for my family and myself and God has told me more than once to cut it loose and the fact that the fine line between respect and disrespect haunts me that I may cross that line and dishonor God. I cannot tell you the torture this has brought to my life and continues to. I want to do the right thing and I have a hard time knowing exactly what that right thing is. It’s terrible. Now about your answer. GIRL, don’t make me come to London tonight and shake you till you wake up out of this lie and deception!! Let me give you some examples…DAVID!!! He cheated, commited adultry, lied, deceived, and had an innocent man murdered and STILL God called Him a man after His own heart, Peter DENIED Christ three times and turned his back on Him completely and He STILL called him “rock” and built His church on Him. Ruth was not even a Jew and He still gave her lineage in Him. Rahab was a PROSTITUTE and without her Jesus wouldn’t have ever been born!! And if you look you will find many more examples than those. MANY! I love you and if I, a mere human being can love you to almost pieces, miss you more than you know, and forgive you for anything you may ever do to me, then how much more could He who is not like us emotional half-cocked terribly self-centered people!! JUST BELIEVE!!
Our Bible study group is a week ahead of you but last night we revisited the question from week six since it was our focus during our earlier study. Satan tries to make us believe that God only helps those who help themselves and we all admitted that we have areas where we try to help ourself out of the difficulty instead of presenting it to God and leaving it for Him. Is this working for us? Well…..no! So —
Like Mary we are describing our problem to Him and believing that He will take care of it. Some of our heartaches include twenty-something children coming to grips with addiction or making wrong choices in their lives to elderly parents with health issues. We are affirming to ourselves and each other that God is good and we will see the water turned into wine.
Lakeway Ladies
Going solo, so don't qualify, but love the study & look forward to your comments each week. Also looking forward to the simulcast this weekend, in Hemet CA.
I'm 70 & have to battle idols. Thanks to good Bible teachers like you, Beth, it's extra fun drawing close to the Lord.
Winette
Yucaipa, CA
We met around a table of Paula Deen cooking (yummy). We had a new member join us, too – YAHOO! Question 1 generated lots of discussion and we loved the comment about a craving being when you feel the need to be secretive about it. Most of us feel that FOOD is that idol, but also mentioned “escapesâ€, such as shopping and reading. In other words, feeling the need to be secretive about allowing some down time for treating ourselves because it makes us feel guilty – which can start out good, but turn into an idol.
We all had a tough time with Q2. However, Q3 once again created some great discussion about handing it over to God. One member mentioned praying with her hands cupped in front of her, waiting to receive God’s gift of an answer – AWESOME!
Just a special note to Beth – thanks for bringing us together as a bible study group. Most of us only knew 1 or 2 others in the whole group of 10, so we have had a great time getting to know each other. We have decided we want to carry on AFTER THIS STUDY IS OVER and are looking for a new study to do together. We are loving studying His Word together.
Hey Beth and Siestas!!!
I don’t know about you, but this was our favorite week yet! (And before I go on, I must agree with you Beth: it has been so neat to study God’s Word with 3 generations. I normally lead a group of women in Bible Study from our church, but this summer, I felt like the Siesta Bible Study would be perfect to go through just with family. So every 2 weeks, Mom, Grandma, and I sit around my kitchen table and talk about Jesus- What could be better than that!?! God is so good to us.)
In honor of your cooling the kitchen off, we did no-bake recipes. We made the cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches (Melissa, those are incredible!) and the Peanut-butter bars that also were divine. Thank you for encouraging us to try new recipes- That in and of itself, is such a treat!
Our favorite 2 days of homework were in Week 6: Provision and Bowing Down. We learned so much that we had never realized before about Abraham and Isaac, like that the entire ordeal was an offering and that he expected God to just raise Him from the dead. And we had an incredible discussion about the personal reflection question on p. 133.
After sharing our struggles and how sometimes obeying God doesn’t make sense to us, it was so refreshing to share our lists on p. 139 of how God has sustained and blessed us over the years. Grandma is 78, Mom is 54, and I am 27. To hear what God has done in all of our lives was just amazing. And how could we not trust and believe Him for the future after looking at what He’s done in the past! It was an incredible night and we are sad that we only have 1 more gathering to go.
Thank you for facilitating this for us. We love you back like crazy, and love loving Jesus with you. Praying for you this weekend and believing God to do marvelous things!
Much love,
Tara
For anonymous who has the 3 year old who won’t use the potty – I had one of those too! I thought she would go to school in diapers!! I tried everything and finally decided to just quit and leave her alone. In a short time she decided it was a good thing and did it on her own. Hope this might be helpful for you too. I love this site and even though I’m not doing the study I have been challenged by the questions and discussion. I can hardly wait for the weekend simulcast we are hosting at our church!!! Thanks Beth for your obedience and how it has impacted me and so many other women I know.
Lynn in AB.
Hi Beth!
Judy from H town checking in….we had 4 of us last night and as usual we had a wonderful time of discussion and prayer…AND food! This study has been profound in helping us to see difficult things and yet cause us to focus on THE ONE who is everything! We identify with the comments above that stated sometimes, we simply don’t have answers to the questions asked…maybe we are not in that season..but we don’t let that discourage us. A common thread last night, even with our different doubts (#3), is that all of us long for more intimacy with Christ. We all voiced that if we just had more of Him, another glimpse, we could move forward. We are all presently going thru some uncertain things and feel that we cannot see him clearly right now. We know and believe He is there, we just want more. I mean…our doubts can even become idols! Sometimes we are like the Israelites and just need a glimpse of where we are going so we will step out and go!We ended up in serious prayer and God honored our hearts as He filled us with His peace,love and approval as we prayed for each other.
Thank you so much for this wonderful summer study….it has blessed all of us tremendously!
Houston girls
Cheri is crackin’ me up with her oven mitt on the trail somewhere!!!
Well, we have made it through the 4th meeting, last night we were down to 3 from 5 but I think God had it planned to be that way. We talked about our cravings. Our little group of 3 are all at different stages, I am married, one in a long term relationship, the other just ending a longterm relationship. One mentioned the craving of touch. It was interesting to talk about how a hug, or a pat on the back can go a long way. She shared it has herself going into wanting unfavorable attention from guys to just have a hug. We shared about God being our comfort, but a touch from a person goes a long way. Anyway our group spent a long time on that question, we also talked about sneaking to get food in the kitchen just to meet a sweet-tooth craving. I guess I am saying this is good stuff, God is really showing my group our idols, and the question for us I guess is what now? Do we continue to have them and hide them or do we deal with them?
Beth,
Our group met last night and I wish we could have won all the lovely kitchen gadgets but…in meeting #3 we only had 5 out of our 14 ladies show up so…no perfect attendance for us. But…last night we were in full swing with 13 ladies present. We even had a visitor to our group. She had heard how much fun we have and how good the food was and ask if she could join us and of course we said “YES”. We had a blast together. We loved the praying from Mary’s example. We went around our group and laid the “I have no more _______________” down at Jesus feet. I can hardly wait to see how God will answer.
Thanks again for giving us such wonderful discussion questions!!
Love to you siesta momma,
Royana
P.S. Melissa, the Swiss Chocolate Cake was wonderful!! I made a double batch of the icing, put it on four layers and WOW!! Needless to say I am running an extra 3 to 5miles for having indulged my “Craving” today.
We met on Wednesday morning this week, due to complications with too many schedules. First, let me say “thanks” for the Hash Brown Quiche recipe for those of us who do late brunch/early lunch. I adapted a bit more by using Canadian bacon in place of ham and adding some chopped cilantro, which seemed to give it a cinnamon flavor.
Here’s what we discussed:
Our cravings extend from food to anything we could hide out of shame or weakness. Toddlers in our families begin to hide when they are ready to potty train. Hiding can be in “plain sight”, such as making excuses in shabby or dishonest business practices. Another way to “hide” is to try to place blame on someone who is innocent. I watch people who “hide” in the middle of a symphony orchestra by exploiting the weakness of their stand partner or other section players, rather than accept the truth that they are ill prepared or incompetent to play the music.
Second response: One in our group was overwhelmed with some mistakes made in family scheduling and bearing the brunt of the fallout, when she realized that she was trying to be in control of children who were old enough to manage their own schedules. BIG deliverance from false responsibility, which she realized was an idol of control.
Two of us are dealing with adult parent relationships, learning to allow God to be in control and speak to these issues.
Third Response:
Today we laid at Jesus’ feet, so He may have control, the following issues–
1. Provision for a recently widowed daughter with responsibility for 2 young sons. She needs medical care, job training, a car, even groceries.
2. Relationships with our mothers and our daughters
3. Macular degeneration
4.Cravings for too much food
Congratulations on Baby Jones! Our most recent grands are 3 years apart. Check http://cheesemyhead.blogspot.com
And thanks again for the delicious quiche, which we ate with Austrian bread, vegetable salad made with blanched green beans, fresh spinach and Spring mix, and for dessert a fruit salad with sauce of sugar free vanilla pudding and juice from the oranges and pineapple. Yum!
Beth
This is one of the Wives of Warriors here and just wanted to share with you that we just got hardwood flooring and I love to slide around on the floor as you were saying. Last night, our kids were gone, staying with their adopted grandparents (we are military and had no family here and these awesome people took us in) and my husbnad and I just got back from our soccer game and had our soccer socks on and me being the dorky wife I am was teasing my husband that Beth Moore told us to slide on our kitchn floors instead of cook in the kitchen (i was on Cloud 9 that we won something from YOUR kitchen) anyway so I slide and mark my spot and then my husband goes and I beat him and then he goes and he went over the line that we were suppose to stop to slide and so I said do-over so I was running back to the starting point when my legs gave out from under me and I landed hard on the floor. I couldn’t help but laugh as well as my husband who was afraid to run as he might fall too. That was the perfect ending to our night. So thank you!!
Jenny from not so hot or even warm WA
Beth, I am not doing the Summer Bible Study, but I am doing Believing God with about 12 ladies in my home this summer. I just wanted to tell you that we have been hugely ministered to. Every single one of us. This is the third time in 4 years that I have facilitated this bible study in my home and every time it just confirms in my heart Who HE is, Who I am, and how to walk in this on a daily basis. I wish so bad I could tell you everything the Lord is doing! I don't want to take up too much time, but THANK YOU AGAIN, for BELIEVING GOD and showing us how to do the same. Some of us are going to the Simulcast in Anchorage Alaska on Fri. & Sat. and I am gonna get me a front row seat, so you can put your hands on my face and say "Jesus Loves You my precious Siesta!!!"
And it has been cold and raining up here all summer, so it hasn't been too much of a problem about the kitchen being too warm, but I still would not want to take that risk. I will sincerely take your hints to heart. 🙂
Love ya much,
Gayle Ann in Wasilla, Alaska
The Tupelo, MS group: We had 6 of our 7 regulars last night and had a great meeting (almost qualified for the contest!). Wonderful fellowship and sharing time. We chose the Becker’s Pasta and Caprese Salad (from the book) for our meal rather than the Chicken Cutlets and Mom’s Sauce. It was a great meal! We had both of Melissa’s desserts and they were both hits. The questions were soul searching. The whole study has caused us to go some places we have needed to go, but maybe did not want to. Thank you, Beth, for facilitating this study. It has been great!
Loving Jesus!
Kay Martin
We’re the week behind group in Louisiana, so we haven’t met yet, but I just had to offer congrats to the Warrior Wives! I’ve enjoyed the comments so much – girls, thanks for being SO REAL! I have felt such relief this afternoon reading this blog – tears, laughter and everything in between! Our group has five originals with perfect attendance so far, and two who joined after we started! I can’t wait to dive into this week’s food and discussion!
Your helpful kitchen hints were ridiculously funny, and it reminded me of one of my husband’s childhood antics…ready for this one? If you don’t have socks to slide and dance around in (it is hot, after all, and who wants to wear warm woolen socks in the summer?!), you can simply smear a fine layer of butter over the linoleum floor. Voila, your very own skating rink. I may have to post anonymously to avoid detection from my husband!
Beth, I am with you about getting dishes dirty! Why cook in a clean kitchen?! Varnished wood is also great for sliding too! Your last helpful hint was concerning hair and I have to admit I don’t even have a can of hairspray in my house! (does it still come in ‘cans’?) I was fearful in confessing this for I thought I may be excused from Siestaville! : )
Summer Bible studies are so great aren’t they? A very special connection somehow!
Now I’m wondering if I pass along gadgets from my kitchen and keep my kitchen clean and looking good, will that help the spiritual discipline of fasting?? (As well as keep the kitchen cool?)
I’m solo and can tell you that God is really helping me to realize that eventhough I thought I’d dealt with some of my false gods, they are still rearing their heads. This week as I looked at the how the Israelites remembered and craved what they perceived to be as good in Egypt, that I’ve been guilty of the same thing as God continues to move me in a new direction. I have to learn to recognize that and to claim His promise of filling me to overflowing.
I plan to facilitate this study during the fall at my church so I know that everything I’m seeing and working to correct will continue to be refined as I go through this again with the ladies from my church.
We had our meeting last night. It was great! We are a week off b/c of the whole books hard to get thing, so we did sessions 4 & 5 last night. We had some good discussions about Rachel and Leah and of course the whole mind-boggling Abraham and Isaac thing. Wow.
Thanks!
xoxo in MT
We still have a good strong group of between 6 and 8 gals each week(unfortunately we don’t have 5 with perfect attendance) and I post our comment for us late as usual! Our group was truly blessed last night with the very real presence of God in our midst. It was an awesome gathering!! Still just completely grateful to have stumbled upon this very timely study-
your siestas in Georgia
HI Beth-
This is one of the Wives of the Warriors and I just wanted to let you know that I used one of your kitchen tips last night. I was sooo excited yesterday finding out that we won something from YOUR kitchen, I was on cloud 9 all day. So me and my husb and got home last night from a soccer game that went really bad, and we took off our shoes and had our soccer socks on and they were really slick. So I started to slide around on the floor. Then being the wonderful wife that i am I was giving my husband a hard time that I could slide further then him. So we were having a contest who could slide further. I won the first one, then the second time my husband went over our imaginary line so i called a do-over and went running back to the starting point and that is when my legs went out from underneath me and I fell flat on my butt. I was laughing and at the same time moaning in pain from landing so hard. My husband was laughing because of me and trying not to run to fast over to me so he doesn’t fall too. We laughed sooo hard. It was the perfect way of ending a very stressful game. So thank you for your wonderful tips!!
Jenny from not so hot or even warm WA
Beth ~
Today we (mom & teenage daughter) went to Cold Stone Ice Cream to discuss our Bible study. I am thankful to have an opportunity for open dialog with my daughter about idols, cravings and trusting God with everything.
We really enjoy your bi-weekly tips. My daughter is considering bringing an oven mitt to school, because she says the chairs are really hard.
We will see you at the simulcast this weekend at our church. We are looking forward to it.
Sue & Taylor in Visalia, CA
Beth,
Just have to chime in and say, that here in Fortuna, California we have to use our ovens and stoves now, because when we do that in the mornings maybe, just maybe, the temperature will reach 67 degrees outside. I miss the heat but enjoy the summer suggestions…
Living by the Ocean,
Kim